The Nigerian government issued a warning about the planned water release from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, as confirmed in a press release by the Director General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Umar Muhammed.
The statement mentioned that controlled water releases would commence on September 17, 2024, from the Lagdo Dam, gradually increasing to 1000m³/s over the following week based on the Garoua River’s inflow.
“The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency wishes to notify the general public that the authorities of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon have communicated to the agency that they will initiate controlled water releases at a rate of 100m³/s (8,640,000m³/day) starting today, 17 September 2023.
“The water discharge is anticipated to progressively escalate to 1000m³/s over the next seven days based on the inflow from the upstream Garoua River, which serves as the primary source into the reservoir and a significant tributary to the Benue River.
“Nonetheless, the dam operators have indicated that the planned water discharges will be gradual to avoid surpassing the conveyance capacity of the Benue river system and triggering substantial flooding downstream in Nigeria. The overflow from the Lagdo Dam is projected to cease once there is a noticeable reduction in the flow into the Lagdo reservoir,” the statement read in part.
The agency, however, stated there was no cause for alarm.
“The agency unequivocally states that there is no need for alarm as major flooding downstream in Nigeria is not anticipated since the flow levels along the Benue River are still within cautionary limits.
“Nevertheless, it is of utmost importance for all states bordering the Benue River system, namely: Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, and Rivers, along with the government at all levels (federal, state, and LGAs) to heighten their vigilance and implement appropriate preparedness measures to mitigate potential flooding impacts that may arise due to an increase in flow levels of our major rivers during this period.
“The agency will continue to diligently monitor the flow conditions of the transboundary Benue River and the national inland rivers, and consistently provide regular updates on water levels across major rivers to prevent further flood disasters,” it highlighted.
The dam is situated in Cameroon’s Northern Province, along the Benue River, within the Niger basin, and spans an area of 586.
The discharge of water from Lagdo Dam has been a longstanding concern for many in Nigeria, impacting several states since it acts as the entry point for the River Benue.
Last week, Borno State experienced severe flooding that resulted in more than 30 fatalities and affected over a million residents.
