Nigerian Govt alerts states as Cameroon prepares to release water from Lagdo Dam

The Federal Government has alerted Nigerians to the water release from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon. 

In a press statement signed by the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Umar Muhammed, on Tuesday, September 17, the FG disclosed that the authorities of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon will initiate controlled water releases starting on the same day, September 17, 2024. 

It said the water discharge is anticipated to progressively escalate to 1000m³/s over the next seven days based on the inflow from the upstream Garoua River.

The statament reads: "The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency wishes to notify the general public that the authorities of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon have communicated to the agency that they will initiate controlled water releases at a rate of 100m³/s (8,640,000m³/day) starting today, 17 September 2023.

"The water discharge is anticipated to progressively escalate to 1000m³/s over the next seven days based on the inflow from the upstream Garoua River, which serves as the primary source into the reservoir and a significant tributary to the Benue River. 

"Nonetheless, the dam operators have indicated 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. The overflow from the Lagdo Dam is projected to cease once there is a noticeable reduction in the flow into the Lagdo reservoir."

The agency, however, said there is no cause for alarm. 

"The agency unequivocally states that there is no need for alarm as major flooding downstream in Nigeria is not anticipated since the flow levels along the Benue River are still within cautionary limits."