The Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA) has issued a safety alert to farmers and residents along the Rima Basin downstream, following the increased release of water from the Goronyo Dam in Sokoto State.
In a public statement released on Monday and signed by Abubakar Bagudu, Technical Adviser to the Managing Director, the Authority disclosed that the dam has surpassed its maximum storage capacity of 943 million cubic meters as a result of heavy inflows from key tributaries.
According to the statement, the situation was aggravated by the recent breach of the Kankiya Dam in Katsina State and continuous heavy rainfall within the catchment areas.
Advertisement
READ MORE : Pedestrian Killed As Speeding Vehicle Crashes On Lagos–Ibadan Expressway
“To protect the structural integrity of the dam and avert potential disaster, SRRBDA announced that water release has been raised from 300 cubic meters per second to 550 cubic meters per second,” the statement read.
The Authority strongly advised farmers, residents, and other stakeholders in downstream communities to avoid riverbanks and low-lying areas. It further urged immediate evacuation from flood-prone locations to prevent loss of lives and destruction of property.
The statement also noted that the Managing Director of SRRBDA, Alhaji Abubakar Malam, had earlier assured stakeholders of consistent updates on water management strategies.
The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to providing timely information and guidance in order to safeguard communities against possible flood-related emergencies.
