The Federal Government has issued a flood warning following the release of water from the Lagdo dam in Cameroon.
According to a statement signed by the Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Umar Muhammed, controlled water releases from the dam began on September 17, 2024, at a rate of 100m³/s.
The water discharge is expected to gradually increase to 1000m³/s within the next seven days, depending on inflows from the upstream Garoua River. The Garoua River, a major tributary of the Benue River, serves as the primary source of water into the Lagdo reservoir.
The statement emphasized that the release would be gradual to prevent overwhelming the Benue River system and causing significant flooding in Nigeria.
However, it urged states along the Benue River basin, including Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross-Rivers, and Rivers, to be on high alert and implement necessary flood preparedness measures.
The agency reassured the public that there is no immediate cause for alarm, as water levels along the Benue River remain within cautionary limits. NIHSA also con
firmed its ongoing monitoring of transboundary rivers and inland water bodies, providing regular updates to mitigate the risk of future flood disasters.
