By Mohammed Bello Doka
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, has announced the planned release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, beginning today, September 17th, 2024. The dam authorities have informed NIHSA that they will release water at a rate of 100 cubic meters per second (m³/s), which will gradually increase to 1000 m³/s over the next seven days, depending on inflows from the upstream Garoua River, a major tributary of the Benue River.
Despite the release, NIHSA assures that no major flooding is expected downstream in Nigeria, as water levels along the Benue River remain within manageable warning levels. The gradual water discharge is designed to prevent overwhelming the river's conveyance capacity, reducing the risk of severe flooding.
Nonetheless, NIHSA has urged states along the Benue River, including Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers, to maintain heightened vigilance. Federal, state, and local governments are encouraged to implement preparedness measures to mitigate potential flooding impacts.
NIHSA remains committed to closely monitoring water levels in the transboundary Benue River and Nigeria’s national inland rivers. The agency will provide regular updates to ensure timely intervention and minimize the threat of future flood disasters.
Director-General Umar Ibrahim Mohammed reiterated the agency’s dedication to using water resources data for sustainable development and safeguarding lives and property.
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