Mokwa Flood Not Caused By Release Of Water From Dams- Utsev

The Federal Government has debunked the speculations that the recent devastating flood in Mokwa, Niger State, was caused by release of water from nearby dams.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, who stated this at a news conference in Abuja explained that both the Kainji and Jebba dams remain structurally sound and operational.

He stressed that investigations indicate that the disaster was primarily caused by torrential rainfall, the effects of climate change, and obstruction of natural waterways by unregulated development.

“The flood in Mokwa town was primarily caused by heavy rainfall due to extreme weather conditions occasioned by Climate change, an emerging Global Phenomenon which overwhelmed local drainage systems.”

“Additionally, unregulated buildings and construction activities blocked an ephemeral tributary of River Dingi, a regressive river, a tributary of River Niger, which remains dry almost all year round with flows solely dependent on surface runoff by rainfall. The absence of efficient alternative pathways to redirect the excess water further worsened the flood’s impact on the communities” Professor Utsev explained.

He extended the Federal Government’s condolences to the people and Government of Niger State and praised the prompt response of local authorities and emergency agencies.

Prof. Utsev said that technical teams from key agencies, including the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority (UNRBDA), and the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), are currently on the ground conducting a detailed assessment of the disaster.

The minister also noted that the incident was predicted in the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) released in April., adding that the forecast had identified Mokwa among 19 Local Government Areas in Niger State marked as high-risk zones.

Professor Utsev reiterated that the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook forecast shows that 1,249 communities in 176 Local Government Areas in 33 States and FCT fall within the High Flood Risk Areas, while 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs in 31 States of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory falls within the Moderate Flood Risk Areas.

The High Flood Risk States are Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Federal Capital Territory, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.

He urged states and local governments to act on early warnings to strengthen drainage infrastructure.

“Relocate vulnerable communities from flood plains.Engage in sustained public awareness campaigns.Enforce land-use regulations to prevent encroachment into flood-prone areas” Professor Utsev emphasized.

Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji