FG Issues Alert as Cameroon Plans Lagdo Dam Water Release

The Lagdo Dam, located in northern Cameroon, is situated on the Benue River, a significant tributary in the Niger Basin

Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Government has issued a warning regarding the impending release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, with 11 Nigerian states along the Benue River likely to be affected.

This announcement was made in a press statement on Tuesday by Umar Muhammed, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

According to the statement, Cameroon’s authorities will commence controlled water releases from the Lagdo Dam starting Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

The discharge will begin at a rate of 100 cubic meters per second (m³/s), which equates to approximately 8.64 million cubic meters of water per day. The flow is expected to gradually increase to 1,000m³/s over the next seven days, depending on the inflow from the upstream Garoua River.

NIHSA explained that this controlled release aims to avoid overwhelming the Benue River system, thus preventing severe flooding downstream in Nigeria. The dam operators in Cameroon assured that the water discharge would be gradual to avoid exceeding the river’s conveyance capacity. The release is expected to stop once inflows into the Lagdo reservoir significantly decrease.

While urging the public not to panic, the agency emphasized that major flooding downstream is not expected, as current water levels in the Benue River remain within cautionary limits. However, NIHSA called on states bordering the Benue River — including Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers — to remain vigilant and implement preparedness measures to mitigate any potential flooding.

The agency also assured the public that it would continue monitoring water levels in both the Benue and national inland rivers, providing regular updates to avert any flood disasters.

The Lagdo Dam, located in northern Cameroon, is situated on the Benue River, a significant tributary in the Niger Basin. The dam’s water releases have long been a concern for Nigerian authorities and citizens, as they often result in flooding in several states.

Just last week, Borno State experienced a devastating flood that claimed over 30 lives and displaced more than a million residents.