The Federal government through the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency has urged States and communities in the path of River Benue to be on alert for flooding, following an imminent release of water from the Lagdo Dam.
NIHSA said in a statement that Cameroon is about to release water from its Lagdo Dam, which will measure 100 cubic metres per second at the beginning and the increase to a 1,000 cubic metres per second in the next seven days. The States in the line of direct hit include Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers.
“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,” said a statement signed by NIHSA director-general and CEO, Umar Ibrahim Mohamed,
NIHSA emphasized that there was no immediate cause for concern, as significant flooding downstream in Nigeria was not anticipated, adding that current water levels along the Benue River remained within safe limits.
The agency also assured the public 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.
