Safety: Government reissues warning to residents near Rivers Niger, Benue as floods kill 29, Destroy 321,000 Houses in Kebbi

*The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency restates the urgent need for residents around Rivers Niger and Benue to relocate immediately to safe locations and secure their lives and property, just as the recent flood disaster has killed 29 people, destroyed 329,000 houses, washing away 858,000 hectares of farmlands in Kebbi State, North-West of the country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Sequel to a steady rise in the water levels of Nigeria’s Rivers Niger and Benue, reaching the red mark in the last few days, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has stressed the urgent need for resident in the river banks to relocate immediately to safe locations and secure their lives and property.

Umar Mohammed, Director-General of NIHSA, who affirmed this development in a statement issued Friday, September 27, 2024, stressed the need for Nigerian citizens to heed the Agency’s warning, by doing the needful- clearing their drainages, and gutters as well as making way for water run-off.

Mohammed said the recent continuous rise in the water levels had reached the red mark, attributing the situation to persisted across the nation has caused some devastating flash floods.

The Director-General reiterated NIHSA’s mandate as regards the management and development of the nation’s water resources, he stated that NIHSA will continue to monitor daily the water levels of the major rivers and tributaries, issuing flood warnings and alerts along with providing flood predictions.

The statement also noted: “NIHSA is pro-actively in synergy with emergency response agencies and the Media.

“It is an effort to help save lives and property of Nigerians to abate flood impact, enhance food security, promote national resilience to flood thereby fostering sustainable water resources management.”

Flood kills 29, destroys 321,000 houses, other valuables in Kebbi State

As the Federal and State Governments have warned resident to evacuate flood-prone areas to safer places across the country over 329,000 houses have been destroyed by the flood disaster while 858,000 hectares of farmlands have been washed away in Kebbi State of Nigeria.

The farmlands, it said, contain crops such as rice, millet, guinea- corn, sorghum, beans, and other varieties.

ConsumerConnect reports Yakubu Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State Commissioner for Information and Culture, reeled off the startling the statistics at a media briefing Friday, September 27, 2024, Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.

The Information Commissioner disclosed the enormity of the flooding has wreaked havoc, and overwhelmed the Kebbi State Government despite the support it has rendered to provide succour to the affected residents.

Kebbi seeks support for more relief efforts for victims: Commissioner

Birnin Kebbi told reporters: “Governor Nasir’s administration has done its best to cater to those affected by the flooding, wholesome compilation of reports on the level of the disaster in each community in all the local government areas have been made and would be presented to the Federal Agencies concerned, this Friday.

“We are soliciting help, the situation is dire, and the government needs assistance to effectively resettle those affected.”

He also stated: “Many of them have lost their means of livelihood, the disaster has forced farmers into penury, shortage of food looms on the horizon, and our food security target is in jeopardy unless urgent measures are put in place to remedy the situation.

“The Kebbi Government will provide improved seeds and other agricultural input to farmers to return to cultivation, but more is needed.”