Cameroon Begins Lagdo Dam Water Release, 11 Nigerian States on Flood Watch

11 States at Risk of Flooding as Cameroon Begins Release of Lagdo Dam

Nigeria’s flood monitoring agency, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), has issued an urgent alert, warning that 11 states could face severe flooding risks due to the controlled release of water from the Lagdo dam in Cameroon.

The release, which began on September 17, 2023, is expected to gradually increase over the coming days, with water discharge reaching 1000 cubic meters per second.

Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, the Director General of NIHSA, confirmed that the agency has been notified by the Cameroonian authorities.

“The planned water releases will be gradual to prevent overwhelming the Benue River system downstream,” he explained, while adding that the current river levels are still within warning thresholds.

The states most vulnerable to potential flooding include Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers. These regions are all located along the Benue River system, making them particularly susceptible to rising water levels.

Though the agency has reassured that “major flooding is not expected at this time,” there is still a call for caution. “It is highly imperative for all states along the Benue River to step up preparedness measures,” Mohammed urged.

Memories of the devastating 2022 floods, which claimed over 600 lives, displaced 1.4 million people, and caused property damage worth billions, are still fresh in the minds of many Nigerians. That disaster was also triggered by the release of water from Lagdo dam, sparking concerns that a similar situation could occur this year.

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NIHSA emphasized its commitment to closely monitoring water flow and providing regular updates to ensure timely responses to any potential disaster.

“The Agency will continue to monitor closely the flow situation of the transboundary river Benue and the national inland rivers and steadily provide regular updates on water levels across major rivers to forestall further flood disasters,” the statement said.