Anita Ogona
The Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) has issued a warning to Nigerians regarding the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
The Lagdo Reservoir, located in Northern Cameroon on the Benue River within the Niger basin, spans an area of 586 square kilometers.
In a statement released on Tuesday, NIHSAโs Director General, Umar Mohammed, informed the public about the situation but reassured them that major flooding is not anticipated in Nigeria.
The statement indicated that states including Kogi, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River, and Rivers should prepare to mitigate the effects of the incoming water.
Mohammed stated, โThe Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency wishes to inform the public that the authorities at Lagdo Dam in Cameroon have notified us that they will begin regulated water releases at the rate of 100 mยณ/s (8,640,000 mยณ/day) today, September 17, 2024.
โReleases are expected to gradually increase to 1000 mยณ/s over the next week, depending on inflows from the upstream Garoua River, which feeds into the reservoir and significantly contributes to the Benue River.
โHowever, the dam managers assure us that the planned releases will be controlled to avoid surpassing the Benue Riverโs conveyance capacity and to prevent major flooding in downstream Nigeria.
โThe water discharge from Lagdo Dam will halt once there is a noticeable decrease in flow from the reservoir.
โThe Agency emphasizes that there is no reason for alarm, as major flooding is not expected downstream; current flow levels along the River Benue remain within warning thresholds.
โNonetheless, it is crucial for all states adjacent to the River Benue systemโAdamawa, Taraba, Benue, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Riversโto enhance vigilance and implement adequate preparedness measures in response to possible flood impacts due to rising flow levels during this period.
โThe Agency will continue to closely monitor the flow situation of the trans-boundary River Benue and Nigeriaโs inland rivers, providing regular updates on water levels to mitigate potential flood disasters.โ
This warning comes as residents of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, are still grappling with the aftermath of devastating floods that resulted in loss of life and the displacement of hundreds of thousands.
