The four hydroelectric power dams in Niger State namely Shiroro, Jebba, Kainji, and Zungeru have issued warnings of imminent release of excess water from their reservoirs.
The notification, sent to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), indicated that the dams would soon begin discharging surplus water.
In response, NSEMA has cautioned communities in riverine zones across the state to move to higher grounds following the directive, stressing that failure to do so could expose them to devastating flooding.
In a statement issued in Minna on Wednesday, the agency described the likely flooding as potentially catastrophic.
The Director General of NSEMA, Alhaji Abdullahi Arah, explained that the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency has also advised settlements along Rivers Niger and Kaduna to relocate for the same reason.
“The dams are releasing thousands of gallons of water per minute that could lead to the overflow of these Rivers and so, we are advising our communities to limit activities around River banks during this peak raining season to avoid flooding. Similarly, people living at riverine areas should relocate to safer grounds already identified,” he said.
Arah further noted: “NiMeT’s latest prediction also indicated that the end of raining season will be accompanied by violent windstorm and that as a result, people should avoid standing under trees during rainfall and also stay away from substandard structures.”
He warned that the state is already witnessing serious impacts of flooding, with homes, farms, bridges, and access roads destroyed in several local governments, leaving many residents displaced and disrupting livelihoods.
“Some of the affected local government areas are Lavun, Magama, Rafi, Kontagora, Gbako, Mokwa, Lapai, Katcha, Agaie, Suleja, Shiroro, Mashegu, Agwara, Bida, Edati, Munya, Bosso, Chanchaga, Paikoro and Wushishi,” he added, noting that lives had also been lost though figures were not disclosed.
