FG Warns States Over Cameroon Dam Water Release

To avoid another disaster in the country, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), has advised states along the Benue River to put necessary measures in place to mitigate flooding in those states. The advise is coming following the plan by the management of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon to open the dam for flow of excess water.

In a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 by the NIHSA, signed by the Director General and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Umar Ibrahim Mohamed, he said the states likely to be affected by the flow of water from the dam are: Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers.

The agency also urged governments at all levels to put adequate measures in place to mitigate potential flooding that may result from rising river levels during this period.

According to the statement, the release of water will begin at a rate of 100 cubic meters per second (8.64 million cubic meters per day) and is expected to gradually increase to 1,000 cubic meters per second over the next seven days, depending on inflows from the upstream Garoua River, the primary feeder of the reservoir and a significant contributor to the Benue River.

“The Cameroonian dam authorities assured NIHSA that the water releases will be regulated to avoid exceeding the capacity of the Benue River and triggering major flooding downstream in Nigeria.

“The controlled water releases will cease once there is a noticeable decrease in inflow into the Lagdo reservoir,” the statement read.

NIHSA underscored that there was no need to panic as major flooding downstream in Nigeria was not anticipated, adding that current water levels along the Benue River remained within safe limits.

The agency also reiterated that it would continue to closely monitor water levels along the Benue and other national inland rivers, providing regular updates to prevent any flood-related disasters.

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