Lagdo Dam: Prepare For Heavy Floods, NEMA Alerts Adamawa, Benue, Edo, 6 Others

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has alerted Nigerians to expect flood in nine states as Cameroon began the release of water from its Lagdo Dam. The states are: Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta and Bayelsa. Mr Mustapha Ahmed, Director General, NEMA, disclosed this at the weekend 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. Ahmed said that the recent release had led to the displacement of communities and could lead to further destruction of crops and other infrastructure. “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. The director general also cautioned states and local government areas along the River Niger and Benue Basins to immediately activate their emergency response plans to avert potential damage and losses that could arise due to the flooding of communities. Ahmed added that, so far, 159,157 persons had been affected by this year’s flooding, as 28 persons had lost their lives and 48,168 individuals displaced in 13 states across the country. He, however, added that the agency would continue to provide further updates as it received more situation reports from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) as well as frontline states’ emergency management agencies.

Flood Alert: 13 States, 50 Communities To Witness Heavy Rainfall, Flooding -NEMA

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said 13 states and 50 communities, mainly up North, are likely to witness heavy rainfall that may lead to flooding between September 13 and 17. Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Lagos Territorial Coordinator, NEMA, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos. Farinloye listed the states and communities to include Kano State, with communities like Sumaila and Kunchi, likely to be affected. He also said that Kebbi State, with communities like Argungu, and Katsina State, with Bindawa, Jibia, Kaita, Katsina communities would be affected. Other states he said were Niger, with Kontagora, Mashegu, and New Bussa communities, as well as Kwara State, and Kosubosu community. “Zamfara State, with such communities as Kaura Namoda and Shinkafi; Bauchi State, with Bajoga, Darazo, Kirfi, Azare, Jama ‘are, Itas, Misau; Taraba, with Bali, Donga, Lau, Serti, Mutum-Biyu, Yorro, and Borno State, with Briyel, Biu, Dikwa, Kukawa will be affected,” he said. He also said that Adamawa with Ganye, Mubi, Demsa, Jimeta, Mayo Belwa, Numan, Shelleng, Song, communities as well as Yobe, with Dapchi, Gashua, Geidam, Kanamma, Machina, Potiskum would be affceted. Gombe State with Nafada and Jigawa, with Dutse, Gumel, Gwaram, Miga communities were the other states and communities the territorial coordinator said would be affected. Farinloye added that due to the rise in the water levels of Rivers Benue and Niger, communities along the two Rivers, up to Bayelsa were advised to take precautionary measures in the coming days. He acknowledged the National Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS) Central Hub, Federal Ministry of Environment Abuja in its predictions.