The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a public alert regarding the gradual release of water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam, with 11 Nigerian states urged to prepare for potential flooding. This announcement was made by NIHSA’s Director General, Umar Mohammed, in a statement on Tuesday.
Mohammed assured the public that while major flooding is not expected, residents and authorities in Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River, and Rivers should take precautionary measures to mitigate any possible impact.
“The Lagdo Dam management will begin regulated water releases at the rate of 100 cubic meters per second (m³/s) today, with plans to gradually increase the release up to 1000m³/s over the next seven days, depending on inflow from the upstream Garoua River, a major contributor to the Benue River,” Mohammed said.
He added that the release will be controlled to prevent overwhelming the capacity of the Benue River system and causing major flooding in downstream areas. The water release will continue until there is a noticeable decrease in flow from the reservoir.
“Although flow levels along the River Benue remain within warning levels, it is crucial for the affected states, along with federal and local governments, to remain vigilant and ensure preparedness for any potential rise in water levels,” he urged.
NIHSA will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide regular updates on water levels to minimize the risk of further flood disasters.
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