NIHSA Assures Nigerians of Stable River Niger Levels Amid Flood Preparedness, Warns of High-Risk Areas
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The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has reassured Nigerians that water levels in the River Niger are currently stable as the country prepares for possible flooding. In a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja, NIHSA’s Director-General, Mr. Umar Mohammed, emphasized the importance of adhering to flood preparedness protocols.
Mohammed noted that water levels in the River Niger Basin have been gradually decreasing since early October. He highlighted that the Jebba Dam is currently managing excess water release in coordination with the Kainji Dam, which is maintaining a 53-centimeter buffer to accommodate any fluctuations in water inflow.
Furthermore, Mr. Femi Bejide, the Director of Operational Hydrology, is collaborating closely with the operators of both dams to ensure effective management of reservoir levels. Despite the rainy season moving southward, Mohammed pointed out that water continues to flow into Nigeria, as tracked by NIHSA’s monitoring stations at Jidere Bode and Kende.
He reiterated NIHSA’s commitment to working with dam authorities, both domestically and internationally, to mitigate river flooding and support Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
Mr. Mohammed further emphasized that NIHSA will continue to monitor weather patterns and water inflows, urging communities in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and follow all safety guidelines.
According to the National News Agency (NAN), NIHSA’s 2024 Annual Flood Outlook indicates that 148 Local Government Areas across 31 states are at a high risk of flooding. The states identified include Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Kebbi.
Additional states at risk are Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, and Yobe.
on September 25, NIHSA issued a warning regarding rising water levels, which have been steadily increasing.
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