By Amos Aar
THE BENUE State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) has urged residents living within a one-kilometer radius of riverbanks to relocate immediately in order not to be victims of impending flood disasters.
A statement signed by BSEMA’s information officer, Mr Tema Ager, quoted the agency’s Executive Secretary (ES), Mr James Iorpuu, to have given the alert after receiving critical weather updates from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
According to the statement, NEMA and NIHSA predicted a five-day period of heavy rainfall, beginning from Monday, September 16, 2024, with a high likelihood of severe flooding across the state.
Mr Iorpuu disclosed that the areas that would be most at risk include Udoma, Ugbokpo, Ugbokolo, Ukpiam, Otobi, Otukpo, Mbapa, Makurdi, Gbajimba, Logo, and Abinsi, urging residents to relocate as a precautionary measure.
He however assured the public that the agency, with the full support of Governor Hyacinth Alia, is prepared to assist those affected by the potential disaster.
As part of measures to mitigate the impact, Iorpuu listed some designated camps for residents in high-risk areas to relocate to.
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 are to 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 are to move to St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School.
For Abinsi, LGEA Primary School, Abinsi is the designated camp, and those in Gbajimba have been urged to relocate to Government Secondary School, Gbajimba, residents in Otukpo are to move to St. Francis, Otukpo while those in Agatu are to move to Oweto.
“People in Ugbokolo, Ugbokpo, Mbapa, and Uikpiam are advised to seek safer grounds close to them, where they can be accessed by Benue-SEMA,” the statement added.
Iorpuu stated that the early warnings and weather predictions are intended to prompt proactive measures and reduce the risk posed by both natural and human-induced disasters in the state and urged all residents in flood-prone areas to heed the warnings to ensure their safety.
