The director-general of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Umar Mohammed has urged Nigerians to heed the agency’s warnings on flood risks and take proactive measures, including clearing drainages and making way for water runoff.
He emphasised that the prolonged heavy rains across the country have contributed to devastating flash floods.
In a statement signed on Friday, September 27, 2024, the DG reaffirmed NIHSA’s commitment to managing and developing the nation’s water resources, stating that the agency will continue to monitor water levels daily in Nigeria’s major rivers and tributaries. Mohammed noted that NIHSA is actively issuing flood warnings and predictions in response to rising water levels.
“NIHSA is working proactively in synergy with emergency response agencies and the media to help save lives and protect property, abate the impact of floods, enhance food security and promote national resilience to flooding. This, in turn, will foster sustainable water resources management,” Mohammed said.
The DG warned that the water levels in rivers Niger and Benue have reached critical points. He urged residents living along riverbanks to relocate to safer locations to protect their lives and property. The agency’s warnings come as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the destructive effects of flooding, which threatens homes, infrastructure and agriculture across flood-prone regions.
Mohammed assured that NIHSA will continue to provide regular updates on the situation and work closely with stakeholders to mitigate the risks associated with rising water levels.
