ANAMBRA, 4 OTHERS WARNED TO BE ON RED ALERT OF IMMINENT FLOODING

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency says five states of the country should be on ‘Red Alert’ of imminent flooding.
The Director General of the agency, Mr. Clement Nze who made this known to newsmen in Abuja, listed the states as Edo, Delta, Rivers, Anambra and Bayelsa.
According to him, the current devastating flood incidents ravaging parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Benue and Kogi states, would still be experienced in Edo, Delta, Anambra, Rivers and Bayelsa States.
Mr. Nze noted that the cause of the flooding was the opening of the floodgates of the Lagdo Dam by the Cameroonian authorities.
He said the current development of the non-disclosure of information on the operation of the Lagdo Dam by the Cameroonian authorities was contrary to the spirit and letter of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries in 2015. Mr. Nze, stressed that the unannounced release of water by the Cameroonian authorities had an adverse effect on Nigeria.
The Director General also stated that both Kainji and Jebba Dams on River Niger in Lokoja had excess water downstream, which had also contributed to the rising level of the River Niger in Lokoja.
Mr. Nze called on the States to identify the communities bordering the River Niger and make adequate plans for timely evacuation of people to safer and higher grounds in the event of flooding.

STELLA IGBOKWE