Abuja — The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a public warning regarding the imminent release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
In a statement released on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, the Director General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Umar Muhammed, disclosed that the Cameroonian authorities are set to begin controlled water discharges from the dam.
This move is expected to have a direct impact on the Benue River in Nigeria and surrounding communities.
According to the statement, the water release will commence at a flow rate of 100 cubic meters per second (100m³/s), which translates to approximately 8.64 million cubic meters per day.
This release is anticipated to progressively increase over the next week, potentially reaching a rate of 1000m³/s, depending on the inflow from Cameroon’s Garoua River, which feeds the Lagdo reservoir and plays a crucial role in the hydrology of the region.
Muhammed explained that the Cameroonian authorities have assured that the discharge will be carefully managed to minimize any risk of overwhelming the Benue River’s capacity, thereby avoiding major flooding incidents in downstream areas of Nigeria.
“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,” the NIHSA statement read.
“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 government urged citizens in flood-prone areas, particularly along the Benue River, to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.
The water release from Lagdo Dam has been linked to flooding events in Nigeria in the past, particularly in states such as Benue, Adamawa, Taraba, and Kogi, where the river flows.
In 2022, similar water releases contributed to widespread flooding that displaced thousands of residents and caused significant damage to infrastructure and farmland.
To mitigate the potential risks, the Federal Government, in collaboration with state and local authorities, is already working on early warning systems and emergency response plans.
In light of the expected rise in water levels, NIHSA has also called on communities, farmers, and local governments to ensure proactive measures are in place, such as evacuating people from high-risk zones, reinforcing riverbanks, and safeguarding vital properties.
The Nigerian government has also emphasized the importance of cooperation between Nigeria and Cameroon in managing the cross-border water resources, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
Over the years, discussions between both nations have focused on improving communication around the management of the Lagdo Dam, which was constructed in the 1980s and has a significant impact on the hydrological conditions of northern Nigeria.
Although the water release is currently under control, the situation highlights the ongoing challenges of managing water resources shared between neighboring countries and mitigating the risks of natural disasters.
The Nigerian government is expected to continue monitoring the situation closely, providing updates to affected communities as necessary.
