The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has alerted Nigerians that the management of Lagdo Dam in Cameroon is to begin regulated water releases from the dam starting September 17.

According to NIHSA, the water is being released at an initial rate of 100 cubic metres per second (m³/s), which translates to 8.64 million cubic metres per day.

In a statement, the Director General of the Agency, Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, said the water release is expected to increase gradually to 1000 m³/s in the next seven days, depending on the inflow from the upstream Garoua River, which is the main feeder into the reservoir and a major contributor to the Benue River.

Mohammed, however, explained that the dam managers planned for the water releases to be gradual so as not to exceed the conveyance capacity of the Benue River system and cause major flooding downstream in Nigeria.

According to him, the spilling of water from Lagdo Dam is expected to stop as soon as there is a noticeable decrease in flow into the Lagdo reservoir.

The Agency, however, said that there is no cause for alarm as major flooding is not expected downstream in Nigeria, as the flow levels along the Benue River are still within the warning levels.

“Notwithstanding, it is highly imperative for all states that are contiguous to the Benue River system, namely: Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, and Rivers; the government at all levels (Federal, State, and LGAs) to step up vigilance and deploy adequate preparedness measures to reduce possible impacts of flooding that may occur as a result of increased flow levels of our major rivers at this period,” the statement said.

He stressed that the Agency will continue to monitor closely the flow situation of the transboundary Benue River and the national inland rivers and steadily provide regular updates on water levels across major rivers to forestall further flood disasters.