The Federal Government has issued a flood alert to 11 states in Nigeria as Cameroon begins releasing water from the Lagdo Dam.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Umar Muhammed, the government announced that controlled water releases from the dam would commence on Tuesday, September 17, 2024.
The release, expected to gradually increase over the coming days, poses a risk of flooding in states along the Benue River, which include Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers.
According to NIHSA, the discharge rate will start at 100m³/s (8,640,000m³/day) and could escalate to 1000m³/s based on inflows from the upstream Garoua River in Cameroon, the main tributary feeding the Lagdo reservoir.
“The controlled releases will be gradual, ensuring that water flow remains within the capacity of the Benue river system to avoid major flooding downstream in Nigeria,” NIHSA assured in the statement.
While the agency urged calm, it emphasized the need for vigilance, particularly in the 11 affected states. Local governments and communities were advised to take necessary precautions to prevent possible flood-related damage.
The Lagdo Dam, located in northern Cameroon, affects the Benue River, one of Nigeria’s major waterways. Past water releases from the dam have led to significant flooding in several Nigerian states.
The latest alert follows a deadly flood in Borno State last week that killed over 30 people and affected over one million residents. Authorities are monitoring river levels closely and plan to provide regular updates on water conditions to mitigate further disasters.
