FG Warns 8 States On Flooding As Cameroon Releases Water From Lagdo Dam (See List)

There is a possibility of some states in Nigeria experiencing flooding due to the release of water from the Lagdo dam in Cameroon the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned.

The NEMA Director-General, Mustapha Habib Ahmed who issued the warning on Saturday during an emergency meeting with stakeholders said already, the agency has been alerted to rising water levels in some communities and states that may be affected by the rapid release of waters from Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroon.

The listed states to be affected are Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta and Bayelsa, with Adamawa already affected.

He therefore charged affected states to immediately activate emergency response plans while further updates are being expected.

“Situation reports from Adamawa State confirms the upsurge of floodwaters along the flood plains of River Benue. The situation is expected to be replicated in downstream states of Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa Kogi, Anambra, Edo. Delta and Bayelsa as the River Benue joins River Niger and flows to the Atlantic Ocean through the Niger Delta,” he said.

Ahmed warned that the water from Lagdo dam has already resulted in the displacement of residents in some communities in Adamawa State while farmlands and other infrastructure may also be washed away by the waters.

He revealed that already, information available to the agency indicated that this year’s flood scenario had affected 159,157 persons, resulted in the loss of 28 persons and the displacement of 48,168 individuals across 13 states in the country.

“As a result of the unfolding situation, I want to use this opportunity to alert authorities of state and local governments along rivers Niger and Benue basin areas to immediately activate their emergency response plans to avert potential damage and losses that will arise due to inundation of communities by flood waters.”

“Furthermore, we are expecting to receive updates from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) NIMET, NEMA Operations Office in Yola Adamawa state and from State Emergency Agencies of the frontline states to keep on updating you on the situation as it unfolds,” the NEMA boss stated.