The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued a warning regarding the imminent threat of rapid flooding along the River Niger and River Benue Basin.
Daily Report Nigeria report that the warning is coming on the heels of the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
At a media briefing in Abuja, the Director General of NEMA, Mr Mustapha Ahmed mentioned that states such as Adamawa, Taraba, and Benue were already experiencing the impact of the massive flooding caused by the water from Lagdo Dam.
The agency noted that nine states could be affected by the recent release of water from the dam, which is expected to last till the end of this month.
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The states that may be affected are Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa states.
Ahmed said the recent release of water by the dam has led to the displacement of 48,100 persons in 13 states of the federation and could lead to the destruction of crops and other infrastructure.
He added that since August 14, when the dam was opened, 28 deaths have been recorded and 159,157 persons have been affected.
He said: “NEMA has been alerted on sudden increased inundation of riparian 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 waters from Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroon and has resulted in the displacement of several inhabitants of the affected communities.
“Furthermore, croplands and valuable infrastructure are at risk of getting washed away by the flood waters. Situation reports from Adamawa State confirm 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.”
The agency cautioned authorities of state and local governments along rivers Niger and Benue basin areas to immediately activate their emergency response plans.
“I want to use this opportunity to alert authorities of state and local governments along rivers Niger and Benue basin areas to immediately activate their emergency response plans to avert potential damage and losses that will arise due to inundation of communities by flood waters,” he said.
