From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Benue State Government has raised an alarm alerting that the water level in River Benue was increasing at a high rate and approaching danger line.
The State Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Mr Odoh Ugwu, stated this in Makurdi on Sunday after the Technical Committee on Flood Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Response Team took the water level of River Benue.
Mr Ugwu said the level of water in River Benue according to the gauge was scary and urged those living along the River banks to relocate to the earmarked camps in the State.
He explained that between Saturday and Sunday morning, September 21 and 22, 2024, the water level has increased tremendously and approaching the danger stage.
“We received alert that water will be released from Lagdo Dam for seven days starting from last Wednesday and today is the 5th day and we continue to gauge the water level.
“What we have as at this morning is a little scary. We need to take proactive measures. Going by the fact that Saturday morning, the water level was 09.40 meters and in the evening was 09.50. This morning it rose to 09.57.
“We try to compare our records with what we have as at last year the highest level was 10.20 and there were heavy rainfalls. So going by the rate that the water level is increasing now, I believe that by the end of today we will hit 10 meters,” he said
Mr Ugwu further urged the people to take the warning seriously and relocate to safe areas.
Also the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Mr Aondowase Kunde said they have earmarked camps in 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State to relocate would-be victims of flood.
Mr Kunde listed some of the camps to include International Market, Suswam Thank You Primary School and Demekpe Primary School in Makurdi, Akume Atongo Stadium in Katsina-Ala, RCM primary School in Logo among others.
He explained that there was a compelling need for people living along flood prone areas especially at River banks to relocate to safe areas.
The Technical Committee on Flood Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Response Team also used the opportunity to enlightened people living along the river banks in Makurdi to relocate to safe areas.
