Flood: Taraba directs residents along River Benue Valley to relocate

Taraba state government has directed residents of the state living along the River Benue valley to immediately relocate to avoid being affected of flood.

This was contained in a statement by the state commissioner of information, Zainab Usman Jalingo.

According to the commissioner, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had issued a warning to residents, following the announcement by the Lagdo Dam Authority in Cameroon.

She said the Lagdo dam managers had begun releasing water at a rate of 100m³/s (8.64 million cubic meters per day from 17th September 2024.

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“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.

“Communities at high risk include those in Karim-Lamido, Lau, Ardo-Kola, Gassol, Wukari, and Ibbi Local Government Areas.

“Residents in these areas are advised to relocate to safer locations as a precaution to avoid the dangers of flooding,” Jalingo state.