The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued a warning about anticipated floods in nine states following Cameroon’s commencement of water release from its Lagdo Dam.
The states are: Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta and Bayelsa.
Mustapha Ahmed, Director General, NEMA, disclosed this on Saturday in Abuja when he briefed newsmen on the release of water from the dam.
He said that the nine affected states which had communities along the banks of River Benue may be affected by the water release, which is expected to last till the end of October.
“NEMA has been alerted on sudden increased inundation of riverine 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 water from Lagdo fam in the Republic of Cameroon and has resulted in the displacement of several inhabitants of the affected communities.
“Furthermore, crops, lands and valuable infrastructure are at risk of getting washed away by the flood waters.
“Situation reports from Adamawa State confirmed the upsurge of flood waters along the flood plains of River Benue.
“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,” he said.
NEMA urged immediate activation of emergency response plans by states and local governments to mitigate potential losses from the flooding. So far, 159,157 individuals have been affected by this year’s floods, resulting in 28 fatalities and displacing 48,168 people across 13 states in Nigeria.
Further updates will be provided as situation reports are received from relevant agencies.