The Nigerian Government has issued a warning to Nigerians regarding the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, with regulated discharges set to commence on September 17.
Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) Umar Muhammed provided the update in an official statement.
The initial water release will begin at a rate of 100 cubic meters per second (m³/s), equating to approximately 8.64 million cubic meters per day. This discharge is expected to progressively increase to 1,000 m³/s over the following week, depending on inflows from the Garoua River, which feeds into the reservoir and significantly contributes to the Benue River
Muhammed emphasized that the dam operators plan to implement these discharges gradually to prevent overwhelming the Benue River system and to mitigate the risk of severe flooding downstream in Nigeria. The release is anticipated to halt when there is a marked reduction in inflow to the Lagdo reservoir.
Despite these developments, the NIHSA reassured the public that there is no immediate cause for alarm. “Major flooding downstream in Nigeria is not anticipated, as current flow levels along the Benue River remain within cautionary limits,” he stated.
However, he urged heightened vigilance among states bordering the Benue River, including Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers. He stressed the importance of implementing preparedness measures to address any potential impacts from increased river flow during this period.
The agency will continue to closely monitor conditions along the transboundary Benue River and other national inland rivers, providing regular updates on water levels to prevent further flood disasters.
