By Francesca Hangeior
The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (Benue-SEMA) has warned residents living within a one-kilometer radius of riverbanks to relocate immediately in light of an impending flood disaster.
The Executive Secretary of Benue-SEMA, James Iorpuu announced the alert after receiving critical weather updates from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
The agencies predict a five-day period of heavy rainfall from Tuesday September 16 with a high likelihood of severe flooding across the State.
According to Iorpuu, the areas most at risk include Udoma, Ugbokpo, Ukgbokolo, Ukpiam, Otobi, Otukpo, Mbapa, Makurdi, Gbajimba, Logo, and Abinsi.
He emphasised the need for immediate action, urging residents to relocate as a precautionary measure.
He further assured the public that the agency, with the full support of Governor Hyacinth Alia, is fully prepared to assist those affected by the potential disaster.
To mitigate the impact, the Executive Secretary has listed designated camps for residents in high-risk areas to relocate to.
According to him, in Makurdi, those living in Kanshio, Logo 1 and 2, Achusa, Judges Quarters, Behind Hotel Lucia, and near BSU are advised to move to the Makurdi International School along George Akume Road.
Residents of Kucha Utebe, Brewery, Gyado Villa, Mu, and Wurukum should move to LGEA Primary School Wurukum (popularly known as Suswam Thank You).
Those in Rice Mill, Agboughul, Tionsha, and Wadata should relocate to NKST Primary School Wadata, while residents in North Bank should move to St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School.
For Abinsi, LGEA Primary School Abinsi is the designated camp, and those in Gbajimba are urged to relocate to Government Secondary School Gbajimba.
Residents in Otukpo should move to St. Francis Otukpo, while those in Agatu should head to Oweto.People in Ogbokolo, Ogbokpo, Mbapa, and Uikpiam are advised to seek safer grounds close to them, where they can be accessed by Benue-SEMA.
Iorpuu stated the early warnings and weather predictions were intended to prompt proactive measures and reduce the risk posed by both natural and human-induced disasters in the state.
He urged all residents in flood-prone areas to heed the warnings to ensure their safety.