The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has announced the commencement of the gradual release of water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam to prevent flooding in Nigeria.

The director-general of NIHSA, Umar Mohammed, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

He stated, “Following an official communication from the dam’s management, the water release will gradually increase over the next seven days.”

According to him, the initial release rate is set at 100 cubic metres per second (approximately 8.64 million cubic metres per day) starting September 17, 2024, with a potential increase to 1,000 cubic metres per second.

He noted that the final rate will depend on inflows from the upstream Garoua River, the primary source of the reservoir, which also feeds into the Benue River, a key waterway in Nigeria.

“The release will be regulated to ensure that water levels do not exceed the capacity of the Benue River system, preventing major flooding in downstream areas of Nigeria,” he added.

He reassured the public that measures are in place to control the flow and reduce flooding risk, with the release stopping once inflows to the Lagdo reservoir are manageable.

Mr Mohammed emphasised that there is no immediate cause for alarm, as water levels along the Benue River remain within safe limits.

The NIHSA boss urged heightened vigilance from states bordering the Benue River, including Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers.

He called on the federal, state and local authorities to prepare adequately for any potential rise in water levels to mitigate the risk of flooding.

Mr Mohammed assured the public that “NIHSA will continue to monitor river flow levels closely and provide regular updates to prevent emergencies.”

The Niger Basin Authority recently warned of rising water levels in the River Niger, urging states along the river to remain on high alert for possible flooding.

(NAN)