Nigerians especially those at the flood-prone areas have been caution to prepare as Cameroonian Lagdo dam is about to release more water from its dam. The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has issued a fresh warning calling on states like Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa to prepare as they could be affected. Director General of the agency, Mustapha Ahmed made this known during an emergency meeting in Abuja where he gave an update on the release of water from the Lagdo Dam.
According to him, the recent release of water by the dam has led to the displacement of 48,100 persons in 13 states of the federation and could lead to the destruction of crops and other infrastructure if prior action is not taken to avert the impending disaster.
He recalled that on August 14 the dam was opened, 28 deaths were recorded and 159,157 persons have been affected.
Therefore, the NEMA boss is calling on all heads of State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in their various states to prepare to cushion the effects of the disaster as it is eminent.
In his statement, it partly reads; “NEMA has been alerted on sudden increased inundation of riparian 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 waters from Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroon and has resulted in the displacement of several inhabitants of 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.
He explained that “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 NEMA DG has caution authorities of both states and local government areas in the affected states to with immediate effect activate their emergency response team in an effort to avert the untoward development.
However, speaking on states that have been affected so far, the NEMA DG said, “The NEMA situation room dashboard indicates that this year’s flood scenario has affected 159,157 persons, resulted in the loss of 28 persons and the displacement of 48,168 individuals in 13 states across Nigeria.”