Lagdo Dam water release threatens flooding in Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, 8 others – NEMA
Lagdo Dam water release threatens flooding in Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, 8 others – NEMA
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued a flood warning for several Nigerian states as water is being released from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
The affected states include Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Enugu, Edo, Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa.
Mustapha Ahmed, the Director-General of NEMA, made this announcement during the National Emergency Coordination Forum meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday.
He emphasized the need for the downstream states to take immediate and concerted action to address and mitigate the impending flood impact.
The decision to hold the meeting was prompted by a notification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the modulated release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
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According to Ahmed, water is currently being released from the dam at a rate of 200 cubic meters per second, equivalent to about 18 million cubic meters per day.
This release of water could result in flooding in the mentioned states in the coming days and weeks.
Ahmed pointed out that the states along the downstream of the River Benue, namely Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Enugu, Edo, Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa, are at risk.
He also provided some data from the Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) indicating that the flow level of the River Benue in Makurdi stood at 8.97 meters as of August 25, 2023, compared to 8.80 meters on the same date in 2022.
However, he noted that the flow level of the River Niger system, particularly in Niamey, Niger Republic, remains stable at a normal level of 4.30 meters. Inland dams such as Kainji, Jebba, and Shiroro have reported consistent flow regimes.
To mitigate the potential disaster, Ahmed called for the immediate evacuation of residents from vulnerable communities to safer locations.
He assured Nigerians that NEMA would work closely with government partners to provide assistance, including food and non-food items, to those affected in IDP camps and host communities.
Dr. Onimode Bandele, Director of Planning, Research, and Forecasting at NEMA, explained that the meeting aimed to update stakeholders on the water release from Lagdo Dam and the current flood situation in the country.
He stressed the importance of gathering meaningful contributions to address challenges and prepare for potential humanitarian issues.
Clement Nze, Director-General of NIHSA, emphasized the need for heightened preparedness by federal and state governments in the affected areas.
He called on citizens, government agencies, and disaster response stakeholders to take immediate action and implement measures to prevent and mitigate potential flood disasters.