Flooding imminent Kogi, Anambra, Taraba, others as Cameroon releases Lagdo Dam waters
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned that flooding is imminent in nine states as the authorities in Cameroon begin the release of water from its Lagdo Dam.
Director General of NEMA, Mr Mustapha Ahmed, who gave the warning at the weekend in Abuja, said more people could be displaced as a result of the impending floods.
The states are: Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta and Bayelsa.
While noting that the situation is expected to last till end of October, the NEMA DG large farmlands and properties would be affected
“NEMA has been alerted on sudden increased inundation of riverine communities and farmlands along the banks of River Niger in Adamawa, Taraba and Benue states in the past 48 hours.
“The sudden situation is attributed to the rapid release of water from Lagdo fam in the Republic of Cameroon and has resulted in the displacement of several inhabitants of the affected communities.
“Furthermore, crops, lands and valuable infrastructure are at risk of getting washed away by the flood waters.
“Situation reports from Adamawa State confirmed 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,” he said.
Ahmed urged states and local governments along the River Niger and Benue Basins to activate emergency response plans to avert potential damage and loss of lives and properties that would arise from the floods.
On the impact of the floods so far, The DG said 159,157 persons have been affected 28 death recorded and 48,168 individuals displaced in 13 states across the country.
He assured that the agency would continue to provide updates as it received more situation reports from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) as well as frontline states’ emergency management agencies.
