Agency asks residents of core northern states to evacuate river banks

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has asked people living along river banks in Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and Niger states to relocate to safer places ahead of terrestrial flooding.

This follows yesterday’s flooding experienced in parts of the North.

Speaking at a sensitisation workshop on 2019 flood prediction, prevention and mitigation in hydrological areas in Birnin Kebbi, Director General of NIHSA, Engr. Clement O. Nze, sought urgent evacuation of people living in the affected states.

He listed the states as Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and Niger, noting that flood might occur in the areas, which the agency has designated as high-risk flood corridor between July and September 2019.

Nze, who was represented by the agency’s Director of Hydrologeophysics Department, disclosed that eight local government areas in Kebbi namely: Aliero, Argungu, Augie, Bagudo, Birnin-Kebbi, Bunza, Ngaski and Shanga are prone to flooding this year.

He also noted that in Sokoto State, Gwadaawa, Goronyo, Isa, Kware, Rabah, Shagari, Bodinga, Tureta, Silami, Dange-Shuni, Wurno, Yabo and Wamako councils are flood prone, while in Zamfara, Birnin-Magaji, Kiyawa, Bakura, Bungudu, Shinkagi, Gusau, Kaura-Namoda and Marafun are probable flood-risk councils.

He added that in Niger State, Agwara, Magama council areas, as well as Murawa and Katsina councils of Katsina State would experience floods.

“We implore the states and stakeholders to relocate people living along waterways, as well as those having socio-economic activities on the flood plains.

“States and local governments are encouraged to embark on clearing their river channels, canals and drainages to allow for free flow of runoff waters, and construct buffer zones in their respective constituencies to collect runoff waters,” he stated.

Earlier, the Guest Speaker, Dr. Murtala Abubakar Gada of the Geography Department, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, noted that over 70 million people were exposed to flooding globally, while 800 million people reside along flood prone areas in the world.

He added that flooding could be averted if waterways prone to flood were well managed, just as construction of dams and reservoirs would prevent flooding and its associated disasters.