Residents flee as river Benue rises to alarming level

Residents of flooded areas in Benue State have fled their homes as a result of flood.

Commissioner of Water Resources and Environment, Dr Godwin Oyiwona, told our correspondent on Friday that the flood had risen to a level of 11.1m on the seasonal flood guage on river Benue.

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Oyiwona recalled that in 2012, the river overflew its banks when the level rose to 12m on the guage and that sacked many residents.

The commissioner, however, expressed worry that some residents were refusing to leave their homes on account that they were fishermen and the flood provided them better opportunity.

“Water level is increasing because of the increase in water level from the dam in Cameroon. We are encouraging people to leave the coastal areas to other safer areas.

“We are handling the area of rise in water level which is 11.1meter as at Thursday evening and the water is still coming. In 2012 when there was massive flooding in Benue State, it was 12meters. So, it is about .9m to get to that and we are warning people to move away from the coastal line to higher grounds.

“As at today, we are working to distill drainages in town as part of measures to contain the water. We are going through the city and telling people to move. Some are moving, others are not moving. We are going round to people to come that we have place where they will be camped,” Oyiwona said.