FG Issues Flood Alert as Cameroon Opens Lagdo Dam

• The Borno State Government warns residents against purchasing vegetables from flood-affected areas due to contamination with sewage and harmful substances
• Nearly 500,000 people have been displaced by severe flooding, prompting health concerns and urging vigilance in affected regions across Nigeria

The federal government has alerted Nigerians about the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon. Umar Mohammed, the Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA), issued the warning in a statement.

While assuring the public that no major flooding is expected, Mohammed urged several states—Adamawa, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River, and Rivers—to prepare to minimize the potential impact.

The Lagdo Dam, located in Northern Cameroon along the Benue River, spans 586 km². In 2022, water releases from the dam led to catastrophic flooding in Nigeria, resulting in 603 deaths, displacing 1.4 million people, and damaging over 82,000 houses and 332,000 hectares of farmland.

NIHSA highlighted that unlike in 2022, when there was delayed communication from Cameroon, this time, the agency has been promptly informed. Water releases from the dam will be regulated, beginning at 100m³ per second, gradually increasing to 1,000m³ per second over seven days, depending on inflow from the upstream Garoua River.

The agency emphasized that the gradual release is designed to prevent overwhelming the Benue River system and causing major flooding downstream in Nigeria. Though NIHSA does not anticipate severe flooding, they stressed the importance of readiness across the affected states.

The federal, state, and local governments are urged to step up vigilance and take adequate measures to mitigate possible flood impacts. NIHSA will continue to monitor the water levels of the Benue River and other inland rivers, providing regular updates to prevent future flood disasters.

Several states in Nigeria have already been hit by flooding this year, with Borno being the most affected, experiencing significant loss of life and mass displacement.