Health
Impending flood: NSEMA warns FG over distressed Kaduna dam
By Chika Otuchikere
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency has alerted the Federal Government to the noticeable structural distress and cracks observed at Kangimi dam in Kaduna State.
The Director General of NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, made this known in a statement made available to Arewa PUNCH, wherein he said the defective dam could result in serious flooding in Kaduna and Niger States, the Federal Capital Territory, and other adjoining areas.
Baba-Arah warned that the situation at the Kangimi dam requires urgent technical assessment, coordinated preparedness and preventive action by all relevant authorities, considering the ongoing rainy season and the increasing risk of flooding across several parts of the country,
“The Niger State Emergency Management Agency has received with serious concern reports regarding the reported structural distress and visible cracks aat Kangimi Dam in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and the potential risk this may pose to downstream communities in Kaduna State, Niger State, the Federal Capital Territory and other adjoining areas.
“In view of the ongoing rainy season and the increasing risk of flooding across several parts of the country, NSEMA considers the situation at Kangimi Dam a matter requiring urgent technical assessment, coordinated preparedness and preventive action by all relevant authorities.
“Any significant structural failure of a major dam can result in the sudden release of a large volume of water, with potentially devastating consequences for communities and critical infrastructure located downstream,” he stressed.
Continuing, Baba-Arah noted, “Depending on the actual condition of the dam, reservoir level, downstream drainage systems and prevailing hydrological conditions, a dam failure could generate a rapidly developing flood emergency, potentially affecting communities across state boundaries.”
The DG, therefore, urged communities and authorities within potentially exposed areas to take the reported situation seriously without creating unnecessary panic or alarm.
He also called on the federal government, Kaduna State Government, relevant dam authorities, National Emergency Management Agency, Nigerian Hydrological Agency, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, relevant security agencies and other critical stakeholders to act urgently.
Baba-Arah urged the authorities to determine the level of risk posed by the reported cracks and establish emergency remedial measures, undertake hydrological and downstream flood-risk assessments, including identification and mapping of potentially vulnerable communities and critical infrastructure, and establish an effective early-warning and emergency communication mechanism for communities that may be exposed to flooding in the event of structural failure.
NSEMA boss further urged the authorities to develop or activate an emergency evacuation and response plan, including clearly identified evacuation routes, safe locations and assembly points as well as strengthen inter-state coordination among Kaduna State, Niger State, the FCT and other potentially affected jurisdictions to ensure a coordinated response should the situation deteriorate.
He maintained, “NSEMA advises residents living in potentially flood-prone areas downstream of the dam and along connected waterways to remain alert, calm and attentive to official warnings.
“Avoid unnecessary activities around waterways and flood channels during periods of heavy rainfall, pay close attention to official information from emergency management authorities and avoid spreading unverified information that could cause panic.
“Keep important documents, medicines and essential household items in easily accessible locations, identify safe locations and possible evacuation routes in advance and immediately report unusual water movement, sudden flooding or other warning signs to the appropriate emergency authorities,” Baba-Arah warned.
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