The Federal Government has addressed concerns surrounding the recent flood disaster in Maiduguri, clarifying that the cause was not the collapse of the Alau Dam, as widely rumored.
According to the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engineer Joseph Utsev, the flooding was a result of an overflow from the Ngadda River, rather than any structural failure of the dam.
During a press briefing held in Abuja, the minister reassured the public that the Alau Dam, located near Maiduguri in Borno State, remains intact.
He explained that the unexpectedly heavy downpours, exacerbated by climate change, overwhelmed the rivers in the region.
The excess water flowed into the Alau Dam, causing the dyke to overflow, but not leading to any dam collapse.
The flooding, which severely impacted Maiduguri and surrounding areas, was primarily due to the excessive inflow of water from the Ngadda River, a key tributary of River Yedzaram.
The minister emphasized that the dyke overflow, rather than a dam failure, was responsible for the disaster.
In addition to the Maiduguri incident, the Federal Government issued warnings about the likelihood of severe flooding in the Niger Delta region and other southern states.
The rising water levels in the Niger and Benue rivers were highlighted, with the government urging both the public and local authorities to adopt emergency preparedness measures to mitigate the potential impact.
As the nation continues to deal with flooding in Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, and Bauchi, citizens have been advised to remain vigilant as more flood threats loom in the southern parts of the country.
The government stressed the need for heightened awareness and proactive steps to minimize damage in the face of these natural disasters.
