LAGDO DAM WATER HAS BEEN RELEASED, RELOCATE FROM FLOODPLAINS - FG ALERT NIGERIANS

Read Time:2 Minute, 39 Second

The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), announced on Thursday that water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam had been released into the Niger and Benue rivers in Nigeria’s North Central.

The Agency encouraged Nigerians who live in floodplains to migrate immediately to safe areas in anticipation of the annual floods caused by the release of water from the Lagdo Dam.

Umar Mohammed, Director General of the NIHSA, gave this warning while appearing on a television program on Thursday.

Mohammed stated that his agency met with Cameroonian authorities and agreed that water from the Lagdo Dam be released “intermittently” into the River Benue and River Niger in Nigeria in order to contain the volume of water and avert flooding in 11 states.

READ ALSO:

CRYPTOCURRENCY: GOMBE TEACHING HOSPITAL WARNS STAFF AGAINST MINING, TRADING

“The situation is that water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam is being released already since yesterday (Wednesday) and there is an agreement that the water should be released in phases,” said Mohammed, who was represented on the programme by the Agency’s Director of Operations and Hydrology, Femi Bejide.

On Tuesday, the Federal Government informed Nigerians of the Cameroonian authorities’ plan to release water from the Lagdo Dam.

The NIHSA identified flood-prone states as Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, and Rivers.

The NIHSA director stated that for the time being, there is peace and normalcy and that water is being regulated from the Lagdo dam, despite rising currents.

He stated that all Nigerians have a role to play in preventing floods, as previous releases of water from the Lagdo Dam had resulted in chronic flooding in Nigeria.

“Everybody has their part to play; as the Federal Government is doing its part, our agency is doing its part, NEMA is prepared, individuals should also have to do their part. They have to move from the flood plain.

“Houses also, their drainages, they have to clean and clear their drainages. Water will find its way so the waterways should be cleared, the drainages should be cleared to allow water to move. That is the responsibility of everybody.

“Look at your house, if your house is at the flood plane, please move please move from the flood plane, it is an appeal,” the NIHSA boss stated.

Mohammed stated that a report on the way forward has been presented to the Presidency, saying that some of Nigeria’s dams must be de-silted.

The release of water from the Lagdo Dam comes just days after water from the overflowing Alau Dam killed over 30 people and destroyed thousands of homes in Maiduguri, Borno State’s capital.

Flooding devastated many states in 2022, killing 665 people, displacing 2,437,411 people, and affecting 4,476,867 people, according to data from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

In 2023, terrible floods harmed 159,157 people, claimed 28 deaths, and displaced 48,168. The release of water from Lagdo Dam contributed to some of the flooding that occurred.

For 2024, NEMA said flooding has affected 1,048,312 people between April and September 2024, displaced 625,239 persons and killed 259 lives.