The discharge of water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam has been a significant concern in Nigeria for years, because it immediately impacts states alongside the River Benue.
On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, the Nigeria Hydrological Companies Company (NIHSA) introduced the managed launch of water from the dam, which is aimed to forestall flooding in Nigerian communities.
NIHSA Director-Common Umar Mohammed defined that the water launch would begin at 100 cubic meters per second, progressively rising primarily based on influx from the Garoua River, which feeds each the dam and the Benue River.
The aim is to handle the discharge rigorously, making certain it does not exceed the Benue River’s capability and trigger extreme flooding downstream.
Mohammed reassured the general public that this managed launch could be monitored, and flooding is just not anticipated to achieve harmful ranges.
Nonetheless, he urged residents in states alongside the River Benue–like Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, and others–to keep alert and take mandatory precautions.
One of many largest causes for flooding when the Lagdo Dam releases water is the dearth of a buffer dam in Nigeria to comprise the surplus stream.
Initially, Nigeria and Cameroon had an settlement to construct two dams: Lagdo in Cameroon and Dasin Hausa in Nigeria. The Dasin Hausa Dam was meant to behave as a “shock absorber,” defending Nigerian communities from floods.
Sadly, though development began within the Eighties, the Dasin Hausa Dam stays unfinished to today.
This delay has led to recurring floods in states like Kogi, Benue, and different northeastern areas each time extra water is launched from Lagdo.
In 2022, Nigeria skilled one among its worst floods in a decade, largely attributable to this situation.
Regardless of ongoing efforts, together with a 2013 settlement between Nigeria and Cameroon for early flood warnings, the issue stays unresolved. Cameroon’s water releases proceed to trigger flooding in Nigeria, leaving communities in a continuing state of purple alert throughout wet seasons.
As a substitute of finishing the long-overdue Dasin Hausa Dam, Nigeria has relied on warning methods and emergency responses.
In 2022, floods from the Lagdo launch destroyed roads, farmland, homes, and autos, which is an pressing name for a everlasting resolution.
