Cameroon Opens Lagdo Dam: FG Warns Nigerians of Potential Flooding

FG Issues Flood Warning as Cameroon Begins Lagdo Dam Water Discharge

“The water discharge is anticipated to progressively escalate to 1000m³/s over the next seven days based on the inflow from the upstream Garoua..."

 

Lagdo Dam water release sparks concern in Nigeria amid flooding risks, affecting multiple states along River Benue.

The Federal Government of Nigeria issued a warning to its citizens on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, regarding the controlled water release from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon. This critical alert was shared through a press statement signed by Umar Muhammed, Director General and CEO of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency.

The Lagdo Dam authorities in Cameroon will begin controlled water releases on Tuesday, according to the statement.

The water discharge will initially start at a lower rate and gradually increase to 1000m³/s over the next seven days, contingent upon the inflow from the Garoua River.

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency alerts the public that Cameroon's Lagdo Dam authorities will commence controlled water releases of 100m³/s (8,640,000m³/day) on Tuesday, September 17.

“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.

“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 overflow from the Lagdo Dam is projected to cease once there is a noticeable reduction in the flow into the Lagdo reservoir,” the statement read in part.

Public Reassurance

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency urges calm, stating that the controlled water release from Lagdo Dam poses no imminent threat.

“The agency unequivocally states that there is no need for alarm as major flooding downstream in Nigeria is not anticipated since the flow levels along the Benue River are still within cautionary limits.

“Nevertheless, it is of utmost importance for all states bordering the Benue River system, namely, Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, and Rivers, along with the government at all levels federal, state, and Local Government Areas (LGAs) to heighten their vigilance and implement appropriate preparedness measures to mitigate potential flooding impacts that may arise due to an increase in flow levels of our major rivers during this period.

“The agency will continue to diligently monitor the flow conditions of the transboundary Benue River and the national inland rivers, and consistently provide regular updates on water levels across major rivers to prevent further flood disasters,” it added.

The Lagdo Dam, situated in Cameroon's Northern Province, spans the Benue River, a vital tributary within the Niger Basin.

The dam's controlled water releases have significant implications for Nigeria, particularly states along the River Benue, which faces flooding risks.

Tragically, last week's floods in Borno State claimed over 30 lives and displaced more than a million people, underscoring the urgent need for collaborative water management strategies.