Nigerian Govt alerts states on release of water from Cameroon Dam

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has urged states along the Benue River to heighten their vigilance, following the planned release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by NIHSA’s Director General, Umar Ibrahim the agency warned that states likely to be affected include Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers.

The agency called on governments at all levels to implement preparedness measures to mitigate potential flooding as river levels are expected to rise.

NIHSA noted that the water release will begin at a rate of 100 cubic meters per second, gradually increasing to 1,000 cubic meters per second over the next week, depending on inflows from the upstream Garoua River.

The Cameroonian authorities assured that the releases will be controlled to prevent major flooding downstream in Nigeria, while the NIHSA also emphasized that current water levels remain safe, and there is no immediate cause for alarm as the agency pledged to continue monitoring the situation and provide regular updates to ensure public safety.