The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed teams to monitor water levels in Rivers Benue and Niger following the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon. NEMA spokesperson, Manzo Ezekiel, confirmed the development on Sunday, stating that the agency’s personnel are on-site in states along the riverbanks to assess the situation and warn communities of potential flooding.
“We are actively monitoring the rising water levels along the River Benue,” Ezekiel said, adding that NEMA’s Director General, Zubaida Umar, has dispatched staff to affected areas. “It’s better to be prepared than to be caught off guard,” he emphasized.
Some communities in Adamawa and Taraba states have already been impacted by the water released from the dam. Ezekiel noted that this year’s monitoring and awareness efforts are more robust compared to previous years to help mitigate the risks of flooding.
In a related development, the Federal Government has issued a warning of heavy rainfall expected over the next five days, which could exacerbate flooding in 15 states. The National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre, under the Ministry of Environment, has predicted heavy rain from September 29 to October 3, 2024, in states including Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Kaduna, and Rivers, among others.
Residents in flood-prone areas are urged to remain alert and take precautionary measures, as the combination of rising water from the Lagdo Dam and heavy rains may increase the risk of severe flooding.
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