Dams spill water, communities along banks advised to relocate (Video)
Communities along the river bank in Tsaragi, Lafiaji, Patigi, Kwara State, up to Lokoja, Niger State have been advised to relocate to safer locations.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) gave the warning after the death of 14 persons due to flood.
READ ALSO: Shiroro hydropower station sensitises communities about impending flood in Niger
The Director-General NSEMA, Ahmed Ibrahim Inga, in a statement in Minna said the Nigerian Hydrological Services to Communities were releasing thousands of gallons of water per minute that could lead to the overflow of the River Niger from the Kainji and Jeba hydro dams located in Niger State.
He explained that so far about 14 deaths have been recorded in seven local government areas which include Magama six, Kontagora two, Agwara two, while one each in Rafi, Lavun, Bosso and Paikoro.
Inga explained that though, the assessments of the flood impact is still ongoing and periodically updated, many thousands have been rendered homeless in about 17 Local Government Areas which include includes Lavun, Magama, Rafi, Kontagora, Gbako, Mokwa, Lapai, Katcha, Agaie, Suleja, Shiroro, Mashegu, Agwara, Bida, Edati, Munya, Bosso, Chanchaga, Paikoro and Wushishi.
“The State government hereby advises our communities to limit activities around river banks during this peak of the rainy season to avoid being flooded. People living in riverine areas should relocate to safer grounds already identified.
“NiMeT’s latest prediction indicated that the end of the raining season will be accompanied by violent windstorms as such people should avoid standing under trees during rainfall and also avoid substandard structures,” the statement added.
Inga said the state is already experiencing a negative impact of the flooding with houses, farmlands, bridges, and link roads washed away in some LGAs located downstream of the dams, adding that “these have rendered many homeless and has affected the socio-economic activities of the communities”.
He then called on all the stakeholders, the traditional institutions, well-meaning Nigerlites and the media to help in propagating the information to the general public.
Click link to watch video of the water spillage below:
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