Massive flooding looms in Benue, others as Cameroon set to release water from Lagdo Dam

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The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued an alert to states along the Benue River to heighten their vigilance in response to plans by the Cameroonian authorities to release water from the Lagdo Dam, IDOMA VOICE reports.

In a statement on Tuesday, NIHSA’s Director General, Umar Ibrahim Mohamed, identified the states most likely to be affected by the water flow as Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers.

The agency called on federal, state, and local governments to implement preparedness measures to mitigate potential flooding that may result from the rising water levels in the Benue River during the release period.

The water release is set to begin at a rate of 100 cubic meters per second (8.64 million cubic meters per day) and is expected to gradually increase to 1,000 cubic meters per second over the next seven days, depending on inflows from the upstream Garoua River, which feeds the Lagdo reservoir and is a significant contributor to the Benue River.

Cameroonian authorities have assured NIHSA that the water release will be regulated to avoid exceeding the Benue River’s capacity and prevent major flooding downstream in Nigeria. The controlled releases will cease once inflows into the Lagdo reservoir noticeably decrease.

NIHSA emphasized that while there is no immediate cause for concern, as significant flooding is not anticipated, states should remain vigilant. Current water levels along the Benue River remain within safe limits.

The agency also assured the public that it will continue to monitor water levels along the Benue and other national inland rivers, providing regular updates to prevent flood-related disasters.