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The Federal Government on Tuesday raised an alert to Nigerians, cautioning about the planned release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, a move that could potentially affect communities downstream.
Umar Muhammed, the Director General and CEO of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, announced that the regulated discharge of water from the dam will officially start on September 17. He highlighted the importance of this step in managing water levels and minimizing potential risks.
The water discharge is projected to ramp up to 1000 cubic meters per second within the next seven days, according to the statement, with the rate of increase influenced by the inflow from the Garoua River upstream.
“The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency wishes to notify the general public that the authorities of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon have communicated to the agency that they will initiate controlled water releases at a rate of 100m³/s (8,640,000m³/day) starting today, 17 September 2023,” the statement read.
“The water discharge is anticipated to progressively escalate to 1000m³/s over the next seven days based on the inflow from the upstream Garoua River, which serves as the primary source into the reservoir and a significant tributary to the Benue River.
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“Nonetheless, the dam operators have indicated that the planned water discharges will be gradual to avoid surpassing the conveyance capacity of the Benue River system and triggering substantial flooding downstream in Nigeria. The overflow from the Lagdo Dam is projected to cease once there is a noticeable reduction in the flow into the Lagdo reservoir,” the statement read in part.
NIHSA’s leader, however, assured that there’s no cause for concern, urging calm as the situation is being closely managed.
“The agency unequivocally states that there is no need for alarm as major flooding downstream in Nigeria is not anticipated since the flow levels along the Benue River are still within cautionary limits.
“Nevertheless, it is of utmost importance for all states bordering the Benue River system, namely: Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers, along with the government at all levels (Federal, State, and Local Government Areas) to heighten their vigilance and implement appropriate preparedness measures to mitigate potential flooding impacts that may arise due to an increase in flow levels of our major rivers during this period.
He mentioned that the agency would remain committed to closely tracking the flow conditions of both the transboundary Benue River and the country’s inland waterways, while ensuring consistent updates on water levels across key rivers in an effort to prevent future flood incidents.
