The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) on Friday, August 23, 2024, issued an urgent warning to the public regarding the rising water levels of the River Niger system.
According to the agency, the development is attributed to upstream activities in Niger and Mali, with reports from the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) in Niamey, Niger Republic.
Umar Mohammed, the Director General of NIHSA in a statement, said that floodwaters from these countries are gradually moving towards Nigeria, starting with Kebbi.
“NIHSA has assured that dam operators at Kainji and Jebba, situated on the River Niger, have been informed and are on standby.
“As of August 22. 2024, the agency confirmed that these dams are not currently spilling water from their reservoirs,” the statement said.
The DG said the risk of flooding is expected to peak by the end of August and into September, urging states and communities along the River Niger system to remain vigilant.
He said the agency will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide regular updates to the public.
The World Economic Forum said Nigeria witnessed the most devastating episode of seasonal floods in a decade, in 2012 causing over 600 deaths and 1.3 million displacements from homes.
It added more than 200,000 houses and 266,000 acres of farmland were completely or partially damaged.
The last major flood emergency was between July and October 2012 when the Niger and Benue rivers overflowed their banks.
