The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued flood warning to 11 states on the bank of River Benue as Cameroon authorities begin release of water from Lagdo Dam.
The states are Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers.
In a statement by NIHSA Director General Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, the release of water this time is being controlled to prevent likely flooding.
Read the statement below:
The Nigeria Hydıological Services Agency (NIHSA) wishes to inform the general public that the Authority of Lagdo dam in Cameroon have informed the Agency that the dam management will begin regulated water releases at the rate of 100m’/s
(a,640,000m’/day) today 17th September, 2023.
The water release is expected to increase gradually to 1000m’/s in the next 7 days depending on the inflow from the upstream Garoua River which is the main feeder into the reservoir and a major contributor to the Benue river.
However, the dam managers further stated that the planned water releases will be gradual so as not to exceed the conveyance capacity of the Benue river system and cause major flooding downstream Nigeria.
The spiling of waters from Lagdo dam is expected to stop as soon as there is noticeble decrease in flow into the Lagdo reservoir.
The Agency hereby wishes to state that there is no cause for alarm as major flooding are not expected downstream Nigeria as the flow levels along the river Benue are still within the warning levels.
Notwithstanding it is highly imperative for all states that are contiguous to the tiver Benue system, namely Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi. Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross-Rivers and Rivers; the government at all levels (Federal, State and LGAs) to step up vigilance and deploy adequate preparedness measures to reduce possible impacts of flooding that may occur as a result of increase in low levels of our major rivers at this period.
The Agency will continue to monitor closely the flow situation of the transboundary river Benue and the national inland rivers and steadily provide regular updates on water levels across major rivers to lorestall further flood disasters.
Umar lbrahím Mohammed
Direciof General/CEO
