The Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA) has issued an urgent flood alert to communities downstream of Goronyo Dam following a significant increase in water discharge from 300 to 550 cubic meters per second.

Officials said the controlled release was necessary as inflows pushed the dam close to its maximum capacity of 943 million cubic meters. The risk is further heightened by heavy rainfall across catchment areas and the recent collapse of the Kankiya Dam in Katsina State.

In a statement on Monday, SRRBDA Technical Adviser, Abubakar Bagudu, warned residents — particularly farmers and riverbank communities — to vacate flood-prone areas immediately.

“This is not a routine caution but a life-saving directive,” the statement emphasized.

Managing Director of SRRBDA, Alhaji Abubakar Malam, said the move reflects the agency’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property through transparent water management and timely alerts.

“Hydrological monitoring teams have been placed on high alert, and we will provide regular updates on water levels.

Residents are urged to rely only on official advisories, cooperate with state emergency agencies, and comply with evacuation orders,” Malam stated.

The authority warned that ignoring evacuation directives could result in preventable loss of lives, urging communities to prepare for possible temporary displacement until conditions improve.

Experts, including the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), have cautioned that with the rainy season still active, high inflows may persist, requiring sustained water releases across affected states until levels stabilize.