The Federal Government has issued an alert to Nigerians regarding the release of water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam, which is expected to affect states along the Benue River. The warning came in a statement signed by Umar Muhammed, Director General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), on Tuesday.
According to the statement, controlled water releases from the dam commenced on 17 September 2024 and are projected to gradually increase over the next week. The release is anticipated to reach a rate of 1000 cubic metres per second as inflows from the upstream Garoua River, a key tributary to the Benue River, rise.
“The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency wishes to notify the general public that the authorities of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon have communicated their plan to begin controlled water releases at 100m³/s (8.64 million cubic metres per day) starting today, September 17, 2024,” the statement said.
The agency added that while the discharge is expected to increase, the process is designed to avoid overwhelming the Benue River and minimise the risk of severe flooding in downstream regions. However, the NIHSA has advised states along the Benue River, including Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, and Kogi, as well as coastal states like Anambra, Delta, and Bayelsa, to remain vigilant.
Despite the cautionary measures, the agency stressed that major flooding is not immediately expected. “There is no cause for alarm as flow levels along the Benue River remain within cautionary limits. However, it is crucial for states bordering the Benue River system and local authorities to heighten their vigilance and preparedness to mitigate any potential flood impacts,” NIHSA advised.
The agency will continue monitoring river conditions and provide regular updates on water levels to help prevent disasters similar to recent flooding events in Borno State. Last week, Borno experienced a devastating flood, which claimed over 30 lives and affected more than a million people, highlighting the severity of the ongoing flood risk in parts of the country.
Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam, situated on the Benue River, has long been a source of concern in Nigeria, as periodic releases from the dam have historically contributed to flooding in states along the river’s path. The dam’s overflow typically impacts several Nigerian communities, exacerbating seasonal flooding risks that have already caused widespread displacement and destruction in recent years.
