Residents living along the banks of River Yedzaram in Maiduguri are growing increasingly anxious as the river has overflowed its banks. Compounding their concerns is the looming prospect of the Alau Dam, which is currently filled to capacity, being opened to release excess water into the river.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the flooding has already caused significant damage, submerging buildings and farmlands in Gwange Ward and affecting areas such as the customs zone, College of Agriculture, and 505 estates. Additionally, Ngaddabul Stream has also led to flooding in Maduganari Ward.
Mustapha Ali, a resident of Gwange, expressed distress over the situation. “We are in distress and afraid that more rainfall or the release of excess water from the dam could exacerbate the flooding,” Ali said.
In Bulabulin Ward, Abubakar Ibrahim noted that residents have begun relocating due to the expanding floodwaters. “The flooding in Bulabulin is worsening, and people have started moving out,” Ibrahim reported.
In response to the situation, Alhaji Bukar Tijjani, the Secretary to the Borno State Government, visited the Alau Dam on Thursday to assess the situation and coordinate with the Chad Basin Development Authority, which manages the dam. Tijjani assured residents that the state government is implementing safety measures to address the flooding.
NAN also reports that recent heavy rains have caused severe flooding in several local government areas, including Biu, Chibok, Konduga, Bama, Dikwa, and Jere.