Flood Looms In 8 States As Lagdo Dam Releases Water

Mustapha Habib Ahmed, Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has stated that the recent release of water from the Cameroon Lagdo dam will cause more flood disasters in downstream Nigerian states.

Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa will be affected, with Adamawa already affected.

Speaking on Saturday in Abuja at an emergency meeting with stakeholders in response to the flood disaster that hit Adamawa State on October 4, he said NEMA had been alerted to the sudden increased inundation of riparian communities and farmlands along the banks of the River Niger in Adamawa, Taraba, and Benue states in the previous 48 hours.

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

He said the sudden situation was caused by the rapid release of water from the Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroon, which displaced residents of the affected communities.

He warned that flood waters could wash away croplands and valuable infrastructure.

Ahmed said in a statement, “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 activate their emergency response immediately plans to avert potential damage and losses that will arise due to inundation of communities by flood waters.”

Furthermore, we expect 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 updating you on the situation as it unfolds.”

According to the agency’s dashboard, this year’s flood scenario affected 159,157 people, resulted in 28 deaths, and forced the displacement of 48,168 people across 13 states.