The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Plateau and disaster management agencies on Tuesday advised Jos North residents living in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer places.
The advice was giving at a sensitisation forum for community heads in Jos North Local Government at the Jos Central Mosque organised by NOA and other stakeholders in disaster management.
Mr Bulus Dabit, NOA State Director, said that the advice became necessary because of the ravaging effects of flood on the communities in the area.
Dabit said that flood had, in the recent past, led to the death of many persons and destroyed properties worth several millions of Naira.
“The relevant agencies have been giving flood alerts and we are working with relevant stakeholders to take the messages to people living on waterways to relocate.
“There are indications that there will be flood in Jos North because of Dilimi River that takes its course from Kura Falls is likely to overflow its banks.
“In the last few weeks, we have lost a number of people because they were living on waterways,“ he said.
He listed some particular areas that are prone to flooding to include: Gangere, Rikkos and Angwan Rogo.
Mrs Juni Bala, Director Search and Rescue, Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said the agency would continue to sensitise the people on the dangers of living on flood plains.
Bala, who spoke on the dangers of blocking drains, warned that water would create new channels, especially whenever the natural course is obstructed.
The director, however, said that the sensitisation was beginning to yield positive results as some person had complied and relocated.
Alhaji Garba Abdulkadir, Plateau JNI Deputy Chairman said that the message of the agencies would be conveyed to people living in areas considered to be flood prone.