ABUJA, Nigeria – The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued a flood alert for nine states in Nigeria as Cameroon initiated the release of water from its Lagdo Dam. This announcement comes as communities along the banks of River Benue face the imminent risk of inundation, crop damage, and infrastructure destruction.
The affected states, as disclosed by Mr. Mustapha Ahmed, Director General of NEMA, are Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa. The water release from the Lagdo Dam is anticipated to continue until the end of October.
Over the past 48 hours, the rapid release of water from the Republic of Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam has resulted in the sudden inundation of riverine communities and farmlands along the banks of River Benue. This situation has led to the displacement of numerous residents and poses a significant threat to crops and vital infrastructure.
Director General Ahmed emphasized the potential for the flooding to affect downstream states as the River Benue converges with the River Niger, ultimately flowing into the Atlantic Ocean through the Niger Delta. He cautioned states and local government areas along the River Niger and Benue Basins to activate their emergency response plans promptly to mitigate potential damage and losses caused by the impending floods.
As of now, NEMA has recorded 159,157 individuals affected by this year’s flooding, with 28 fatalities and 48,168 people displaced across 13 states in Nigeria. NEMA is closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates based on reports from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), and frontline states’ emergency management agencies.
The Nigerian authorities are urging residents in the affected regions to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and the protection of their property during this critical period of heightened flood risk.
