The Federal Government has issued a flood alert to 11 Nigerian states in response to the upcoming release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon. According to a statement from the Director General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Umar Muhammed, controlled water releases from the dam will begin on Tuesday, September 17, 2024.
The release is expected to escalate from an initial discharge rate of 100 cubic meters per second (m³/s) to 1000 m³/s over the next seven days due to inflows from the Garoua River, a major tributary to the Benue River.
Despite the planned release, NIHSA has assured that major flooding is not anticipated, as water levels along the Benue River remain within manageable limits. However, residents of states along the river system, including Adamawa, Benue, Taraba, and others, have been urged to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures to mitigate potential flood risks.
The agency will continue monitoring river conditions and provide updates to prevent further flood disasters. The Lagdo Dam, located on the Benue River in Cameroon, has historically been linked to flooding issues in Nigeria, especially during periods of heavy water release.
