The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned Nigerians of impending floods as the Cameroonian authorities plan to release water from the Lagdo Dam.
NEMA identified nine states that could be affected by the floods, which includes Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa.
The Director General of NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed, gave this update at an emergency meeting yesterday.
Ahmed highlighted that the recent discharge of water has already led to the displacement of 48,100 individuals across 13 states in Nigeria and could result in damage to crops and infrastructure.
He added that since August 14 when the dam was opened, 28 deaths have been recorded and 159,157 persons have been affected.
Ahmed further urged the heads of State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA) to take proactive measures to mitigate the impact of this disaster.
He stated, “NEMA has received reports of a sudden increase in flooding in communities and farmlands along the banks of the River Niger in Adamawa, Taraba, and Benue states over the past 48 hours.
“This sudden development is attributed to the rapid release of water from the Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroon, resulting in the displacement of many residents in the affected communities.
“Furthermore, croplands and valuable infrastructure are at risk of getting washed away by the flood waters. Situation reports from Adamawa State confirm the upsurge of flood waters along the flood plains of River Benue.
“The situation is expected to be replicated in downstream states of Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta and Bayelsa as the River Benue joins River Niger and flows to the Atlantic Ocean through the Niger Delta.”
The agency urged authorities at the state and local government levels in areas along the Niger and Benue river basins to activate their emergency response plans promptly to prevent potential damage and losses caused by the flooding of communities.