The Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) issued a warning on Tuesday about the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon. The alert was announced by NIHSA Director General, Umar Mohammed, in a statement provided to Vanguard.
Mohammed reassured that there is no immediate cause for alarm, as major flooding is not anticipated. However, states including Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River, and Rivers, along with the Federal Government, should prepare to manage the potential impacts of the water release.
He explained, “The Lagdo Dam management has informed us that they will commence regulated water releases at a rate of 100m³/s (8,640,000m³/day) on September 17, 2024. This release rate is expected to increase gradually to 1000m³/s over the next seven days, depending on inflow from the upstream Garoua River, which feeds into the Benue River.”
“The dam managers have assured that the releases will be controlled to avoid exceeding the Benue River’s capacity and causing major flooding downstream in Nigeria. The release of water will cease once there is a noticeable reduction in flow from the Lagdo reservoir,” he added.
Mohammed emphasized that while major flooding is not expected, it is crucial for all states adjacent to the Benue River system to heighten their vigilance and implement preparedness measures to mitigate any potential flood impacts.
NIHSA will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide regular updates on water levels to help prevent further flood disasters.