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.
“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.