The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing has recommended all vehicles travelling to the north from the country’s south-western and south-eastern regions to avoid the Lokoja-Abuja dual road.
The advice came amid terrifying social media photographs and videos of a long line of automobiles wedged between flood water and vehicles described as amphibious by one user driving through flood waters.
It also brought to light, via social media, directions attributed to Americans regarding the necessity to avoid particular quantities of flood water.
Engr Jimoh Kajogbola, Federal Controller of Works in Kogi, issued the advice in a statement on Wednesday in Lokoja, urging motorists to seek alternate routes.
According to him, the flooding of the River Niger has made the Lokoja-Abuja dual carriageway at Koton-Karfe dangerous for road users.
“Abuja-bound motorists from the south-west should take the Ilorin-Mokwa-Bida road, while travellers from the east and south-south should take the Makurdi-Lafia road.”
Those travelling from the north to the south should take the Abuja-Lafia-Makurd-Otukpa route or the Abuja-Bida-Mokwa-Jebba road.
He stated that the directive will be in effect until the water level recedes.
According to an admonition ascribed to the Americans, “Driving through floodwaters can be fatal.” If you must go out, here’s what you need to know to keep safe. ”
“First and foremost, do not drive through floodwaters, even if the water does not look deep. If a road is flooded, turn around and find an alternate route”.
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“It takes just 12 inches of flowing water to carry off a small car, (and) 18 to 24 inches for larger vehicles,” the US National Weather Service warns.
“The water may also be hiding washed-out road surfaces, electrical wires, debris or other dangerous objects.
“More than half of all flooding deaths nationally occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water, according to the weather service.
“If you’re on foot, you should also avoid flood waters, the weather service adds. Six inches of fast-moving floodwater can knock an adult down. Floodwaters may also contain downed power lines that could still electrocute a person”. Please stay safe.”
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