The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a warning to 11 states in the country about the planned release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon. The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) made this known on Tuesday through a statement signed by its Director General, Umar Muhammed.
According to the statement, the authorities of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon have informed NIHSA that they will begin the controlled release of water from the dam starting Tuesday, September 17, 2024.
The water release is expected to gradually increase over the next seven days, potentially reaching a flow rate of 1000 cubic meters per second (m³/s) as inflows from the Garoua River upstream continue.
“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, said 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 added.
The Lagdo Dam, located in the Northern Province of Cameroon, was constructed on the Benue River in the Niger River basin. It plays a significant role in the hydrology of the region, with water releases from the dam often affecting the flow of the Benue River into Nigeria.
