Flood: Relocate to safer areas, Taraba tells residents

Residents of Karim-Lamido, Lau, Ardo-Kola, Gassol, Wukari, and Ibbi local government councils in Taraba State have been advised to relocate to safer locations due to an imminent flood risk.

Taraba State Commissioner of Information and Reorientation, Zainab Usman Jalingo issued the warning on Monday.

She said the warning was to protect residents from the dangers of flooding that may affect some communities.

The commissioner emphasized that the directive has become necessary due to the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in neighboring Cameroon Republic.

She said the flood is expected to raise water levels in the Benue River, increasing the likelihood of flooding in downstream areas, particularly in Taraba State.

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had previously issued a warning following the announcement by the Lagdo Dam Authority, which confirmed that water began being released at a rate of 100 cubic meters per second (equivalent to 8.64 million cubic meters per day) as of September 17, 2024.

While efforts are being made to manage the release to prevent overwhelming the capacity of the Benue River system, The Guardian gathered that there remains a significant risk of flooding in communities along the river’s banks.

“Residents of Karim-Lamido, Lau, Ardo-Kola, Gassol, Wukari, and Ibbi are particularly vulnerable and should move to safer locations as a precautionary measure,” the commissioner said.

Governments at all levels, our state correspondent learned are working closely with relevant authorities to monitor the situation and ensure the safety of all affected communities.