The Taraba State government has issued a flood warning for residents in six local government areas (LGAs)—Karim-Lamido, Lau, Ardo-Kola, Gassol, Wukari, and Ibbi—due to the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has predicted severe flooding in various states, including Taraba, Adamawa, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross-Rivers, and Rivers.
Zainab Jalingo, Commissioner for Information and Re-Orientation, urged communities along the Benue River valley in the affected LGAs to relocate immediately. This precaution is vital given the historical impact of flooding in previous years, notably in 2012 and 2022.
Flooding poses a significant threat in Nigeria, displacing millions and destroying thousands of homes, while also jeopardizing food security due to its effects on major agricultural areas.
NIHSA reported that the Lagdo Dam authorities began releasing water at a rate of 100m³/s (approximately 8.64 million cubic meters/day) as of September 17, 2024. Although the release is managed to prevent overwhelming the Benue River system, there remains a risk of flooding downstream, especially in Taraba, which has the longest stretch of the river.
Residents in the identified high-risk areas are strongly advised to seek safer locations to avoid potential flooding dangers.