On Tuesday, the federal government released an alert about potential water release from the Lagdo dam in Cameroon.
In a statement released on Tuesday and signed by the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Umar Muhammed.
The statement noted that the authorities of the dam has sent a notification infirmating the the country that authorities of the dam would initiate controlled water releases starting September 17, 2024. the statement noted that the water to be released by dam authorities is projected to reach 1000m³/s over the next seven days based on the inflow from the upstream Garoua River.
The statement noted that the water releases would take place for the next seven days. The water, according to the statement, will serve as the primary source of water into the waterhole and a significant branch of the Benue River.
The statement noted that the dam authorities have noted that the planned water discharges will be gradual to avoid surpassing the conveyance capacity of the Benue River system and triggering substantial flooding downstream in Nigeria. He noted that the flow from Cameron Dam is expected to stop once there is a reduction in the amount of the flow into the Lagdo reservoir.
The agency expressed confidence that there was fear towards the release of the water as the major, major flooding downstream in Nigeria is not expected as the flow level around the Benue River is still within warning limits.
The agency noted that it would monitor the low water levels in the transboundary Benue River and the national inland rivers and consistently provide regular updates on water levels across major rivers to prevent further flood tragedies.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to “diligently monitor the flow conditions of the transboundary Benue River and the national inland rivers, and consistently provide regular updates on water levels across major rivers to prevent further flood disasters.”
