The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a warning to residents in flood-prone areas to relocate immediately to safe spaces. This comes after the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon into River Niger and River Benue in Nigeria’s North Central region.
According to NIHSA Director-General Umar Mohammed, the agency has agreed with Cameroonian authorities to release water from the dam intermittently to avoid flooding in 11 states at risk, including Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, and Rivers.
Mohammed emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in preventing flooding. “Everybody has their part to play; as the Federal Government is doing its part, our agency is doing its part, NEMA is prepared, individuals should also have to do their part. They have to move from the floodplain.”
To mitigate the impact of flooding, the Federal Government is considering building five buffer dams, with a report already submitted to the Presidency. Some of Nigeria’s dams will also be de-silted, and the tributaries of River Niger and Benue will be expanded.
Recent flooding in Nigeria has had devastating consequences. In 2022, floods claimed 665 lives, displaced 2,437,411 persons, and affected 4,476,867 persons. In 2023, floods affected 159,157 individuals, caused 28 deaths, and displaced 48,168. This year, flooding has already affected 1,048,312 people, displaced 625,239, and killed 259.
The House of Representatives has also urged the Federal Government to build a buffer dam in Adamawa State to mitigate against flooding from the Lagdo Dam.
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