Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto
The Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA) has issued an urgent flood warning to communities downstream of the Goronyo Dam following a sharp increase in water discharge from 300 to 550 cubic meters per second.
The emergency action was taken after an unprecedented surge in inflows pushed the dam dangerously close to its full capacity of 943 million cubic meters.
Authorities say the threat has been worsened by the recent collapse of the Kankiya Dam in Katsina State and persistent heavy rainfall across major catchment areas.
In a statement signed on Monday by the Technical Adviser to the Managing Director, Abubakar Bagudu (Dallatun Kalgo), SRRBDA stressed that the discharge was unavoidable to protect the dam’s structural integrity and prevent a major disaster.
“All stakeholders, especially farmers and residents along riverbanks, must vacate flood-prone areas without delay. This is not a routine caution but a life-saving directive,” the Authority warned.
Managing Director Alhaji Abubakar Malam (Shettiman Gwandu) reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to transparent water management and timely communication.
He noted that the swift warning demonstrates SRRBDA’s readiness to safeguard lives and property.
The Authority disclosed that its hydrological monitoring teams are on high alert, tracking water levels and issuing regular updates.
Residents have been urged to rely only on official advisories, avoid unnecessary exposure along riverbanks, and cooperate fully with state emergency agencies, local councils, and traditional leaders coordinating evacuation efforts.
SRRBDA emphasized that ignoring evacuation orders could result in preventable loss of lives, stressing that the safety of communities remains its top priority.
Experts caution that with the rainy season still ongoing, continued heavy downpours may prolong high inflows into the dam, requiring sustained water releases until levels stabilize.
The public has been advised to remain vigilant, prepare for possible displacement, and follow official information channels until water volumes return to safe thresholds.
