Lagdo Dam: NEMA Urges Nigerians to Remain Calm as NISHA Reveals 8.97m Water Flow Level

In preparation for potential flooding disasters this year, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has advised citizens to remain calm. This advice comes despite the Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) revealing that the flow level has reached 8.97 meters.

NEMA has pointed out that this year’s flow level is notably higher than last year’s, which was at 8.80 meters, signifying a 17-meter increase.

Concerns have arisen due to the potential water release from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam. However, the NISHA has reassured that the flow level of the River Niger system, particularly in Niamey, Niger Republic, remains stable at a normal 4.30 meters. Similarly, inland dams like Kainji, Jebba, and Shuroro have reported consistent flow patterns.

To be prepared for the potential effects of flooding, NEMA’s Director General, Mustapha Ahmed, has outlined several measures. These include sending out early warning messages to states, making appearances on television and radio, airing informative jingles, issuing press releases, clearing drainage systems, and ensuring readiness for rescue missions.

The NEMA Boss at a stakeholders’ meeting on the release of water from the dam, assured that the country has commenced release of water from the Dam at the rate of 200 cubic meters per second which is about 18 million cubic meter of water per day.

According to him, the release from Lagdo may result to all front line states experiencing flooding in subsequent days and weeks.

He added that it was of great importance to also note that the Dam might commence full discharge of excess water in the event that the region experiences heavy amount of rainfall.

“Coordination is a vital component of disaster management which needs to be given adequate attention to ensure timely and efficient response.

“To ensure effective coordination and implementation of various policies therefore, the agency has dimmed it fit to invite critical stakeholders to this Forum to deliberate on how to respond and mitigate the impeding flood we are currently being faced with, in Nigeria.

“The 2012 flood menace caused by the release of water from the Dam, which ravaged many state within the country will not be easily forgotten. You will recall that the 2022 flood disaster claimed 665 lives, displaced 2,437,411 persons and affected 4,476,867 persons.

“We have already started experiencing flood in some parts of the country this year with the rainfall. The release from the Lagdo Dam will only worsen the flood situation and therefore calls for concerted effort so as to address and mitigate the impact.

“Information available from the flow level of the River Benue at Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) gauging station in Makurdi stood at 8.97 meters as of August 25th, 2023, compared to 8.80 meters on the same date in 2022.

“NIHSA has provided that the flow level of River Niger system, especially at Niamey, Niger Republic, remains stable at a normal level of 4.30 meters. Similarly, inland dams including Kainji, Jebba, and Shiroro reported consistent flow regimes”.

TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports that states on the downstream of River Benue are Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Enugu, Edo, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa States.