The Niger Basin Authority on Tuesday cautioned that there would be a progressive increase in water level in Nigeria.
The NBA said that the increase in water level could have significant impacts on people and property in flood prone areas.
The agency is a regional body of nine-member countries in West and Central Africa, namely – Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Chad, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.
The NBA said it has observed progressive increase in water level in River Niger at 580 cm, a development that capped in its Yellow alert issued on September 7.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) urged the Federal and state governments to prepare sites for a possible flood situation.
The statement reads: “Since September 1, 2017, a yellow alert on water level was reached at the hydrometric station of Niamey. This yellow alert lasted seven days until September 7, 2017 with a progressive increase of water level until reaching the yellow level limit of 580 cm.
“The Orange alert level was reached on September 7, 2017. Forecasts and gages reading from upstream Niamey showed that this orange alert situation will last the next three days.
“It should be noted that at this orange alert level, any progressive increase of water levels could have significant impacts on people and property in areas of flood risk.
“In this situation of orange alert, it is suggested to prepare sites for a possible flood situation.
“The rise of water level at Niamey will propagate downstream toward Malanville station in Republic of Benin and the station of Jidere Bode upstream Kainji Dam in Federal Republic of Nigeria. Riparian people should be particularly vigilant, especially those living in areas at flood risk.”
