The four hydroelectric dams—Shiroro, Jebba, Kainji, and Zungeru—located in Niger State, are preparing to release excess water, raising concerns about potential flooding. The notification was communicated to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), which has urged communities in riverine areas to relocate upstream to avoid the impending flood.
NSEMA has warned that the discharge from the dams could lead to catastrophic flooding. Alhaji Abdullahi Arah, Director General of NSEMA, stated that the Nigerian Hydrological Services has advised communities along Rivers Niger and Kaduna to take similar precautions.
The dams are expected to release thousands of gallons of water per minute, increasing the risk of overflow in nearby rivers. Residents are advised to limit activities around riverbanks and to relocate to safer grounds as identified by local authorities.
Arah also highlighted that the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMeT) has predicted that the end of the rainy season will be accompanied by violent windstorms. As such, residents should avoid standing under trees during rainfall and steer clear of substandard structures.
The state is already facing the negative impacts of flooding, with reports of washed-away houses, farmlands, bridges, and roads, leading to homelessness and disrupted socio-economic activities. Several local government areas, including Lavun, Magama, and Rafi, have been affected, with a loss of lives recorded, although the exact number has not been disclosed.
