Lagdo Dam release: Expert says it’s critical to have backup strategies for managing flood disasters

The Nigerian government and its subnationals have been warned to set up backup plans in case flooding occurs in the upcoming weeks.

This request was made on Monday by Mr. Akugbe Iyamu, president of the Environment Protection and Climate Change Experts, in response to news that the Cameroonian government planned to release more water from the Lagdo dam.

Every year, flooding in Nigeria results from the neighbouring Cameroon, which borders Nigeria on its eastern side and shares an eastern border with it.

The two nations agreed that a twin dam would be built in Nigeria to contain the overflow during the time the dam was being built in the 1980s, but the second one was never built.

Around 13 states in Nigeria, including Kogi, Benue, Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe, are affected by the release of water from this dam.

Niger, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Cross River, Rivers, and Bayelsa States are among the others.

Iyamu stated that having a contingency plan in place will assist stakeholders in properly preparing and responding in order to minimise flood risks, as they may result in eviction and have an impact on food security.

He calls on states in the downstream regions to take action to avert a flood calamity because the amount of water that will be released from the dam may contribute more than 40% to Nigeria.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, had reportedly stated that there was no immediate concern of flooding and urged the states to take precautions against flood emergencies.

According to Utsev, the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has noticed a surge in the volume of flow along the River Benue system, recording a flow level of 8.97 metres today.

He claimed that in comparison to a flow level of 8.80 metres on the same date in 2022, this was negligible.

NAN also recollects that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had been informed of the potential of flooding along the River Benue basin by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Cameroonian government intends to “open the flood gates of the Lagdo Dam on the Benue River in days ahead,” according to a letter dated August 21 and signed by Umar Salisu, Director of African Affairs for the Ministry.

According to the report, this was brought on by the intense rainfall “around the dam catchment area in Northern Cameroon.”

The letter states that when a water release is required, the Lagdo Dam’s administrators will only release modulated, fluctuating little volumes of water at a time.

This was done in an effort to lessen and prevent any harm that the discharged water would have brought about along the River Benue basin in both Cameroon and Nigeria.

In light of the aforementioned, “it would be appreciated if the esteemed agency takes all necessary proactive steps and actions that will mitigate the damage as well as sensitise the populace living in such areas for vigilance and all necessary precautions,” it stated.

NEMA data showed that the floods of 2022 had caused more than 1.4 million people to be relocated, over 603 deaths, and more than 2,400 injuries.

332,327 hectares of land were also impacted, along with 82,035 residential structures. (NAN)