Residents urged to relocate amid flood threats in Taraba

Residents of Karim-Lamido, Lau, Ardo-Kola, Gassol, Wukari, and Ibbi LGAs of Taraba State have been advised to relocate to safer locations.

Making the call on Monday, the state Commissioner of Information and Reorientation, Zainab Usman Jalingo said the councils are prone to serious flood disaster.

A statement made available to journalists in the state, said the directive has become necessary in order to avert the impending disaster following the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in neighbouring Cameroon.

“This is to inform the general public, especially residents along the River Benue valley, of an urgent matter,” the statement said.

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), according to the statement, has issued a warning following the announcement by the Lagdo Dam Authority in Cameroon.

“The dam managers have begun releasing water at a rate of 100m³/s (8.64 million cubic meters/day) as of 17th September 2024.

“While the release is being controlled to avoid exceeding the capacity of the Benue River system, there is a risk of flooding downstream, especially in Taraba State, which has the longest stretch of the Benue River,” the commissioner said.

Residents urged to relocate amid flood threats in Taraba