By Samuel Oyadongha

Yenagoa—The rise in water level and possible flooding is now causing anxiety among communities in Bayelsa State.

Bayelsa is predominantly riverine with most of its communities along the rivers and creeks, making them vulnerable to flooding and landslide.

The state government has, meanwhile, directed all contractors handling major infrastructural projects to expedite work on them following the red alert issued by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs of an impending flood disaster in the state.

The five local government areas of the state that might be worse hit by flood include Brass, Nembe, Kolokuma-Opokuma, Yenagoa and Sagbama.
Though there had been a break in rainfall for some days, the water level has continued to rise fueling fear of an impending flood when it resumes and peaks by September.

The state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Lawrence Ewhrujakpor, has barred heavy duty trucks from plying the Igbogene Link Road through to the Glory Drive Gateway, the dualisation of which is being handled by Dantata & Sawoe, due to the rising water level.

Ewhrujakpor said that with the rising water level near the Glory Drive Bridge, the road project would be endangered should the predicted flood come and urged the contractors to double efforts and deliver the project on schedule.

Some indigenes of Sagbama and Adabagbabiri communities, who spoke to Vanguard expressed concern about the rising water level.
Both communities are located on the bank of the Forcados River and are vulnerable to flooding like other communities in the state which are below the sea level.

“The rate at which the water is rising is a source of concern to us. Our shoreline is low making our community vulnerable to annual flooding.
“Already, the foundations of most of the buildings on the waterfront are weak due to perennial flooding. Our prayer is that we do not have a repeat of the devastating floods of 2012,” a concerned resident said.