NEMA Has Warned Of A Flooding Catastrophe.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned of a flooding catastrophe eminent in Benue, Kogi, and 6 different states following the recent release of water from the Cameroon Lagdo Dam.

 

Other states to be affected are Taraba, Nasarawa, Anambra, Edo, Delta and Bayelsa, with Adamawa already affected; the Director General of NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed, raised the alarm on Saturday, October 7, all through an emergency meeting with stakeholders in Abuja.

The Cameroonian government has in August written to NEMA on the plans to open the Lagdo Dam floodgate, advising NEMA to take proactive steps to mitigate damages, The Viewer'slight said.

They advised NEMA to mainly sensitise Nigerians living across the location that might be stricken by the launched water.

“The authorities of the Ladgo Dam can be releasing most effective modulated variable small quantity of water at a time with a purpose to mitigate and avoid damages that the released water may cause. 

 

Speaking on Saturday in Abuja during an emergency meeting with stakeholders in reaction to the flood disaster that affected Adamawa State from October 4, he said NEMA was alerted to the 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.


“Situation reviews from Adamawa State confirm the upsurge of floodwaters alongside the flood plains of River Benue. The situation is predicted to be replicated inside the downstream states of Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa Kogi, Anambra, and Edo. Delta and Bayelsa as the River Benue joins River Niger and flows to the Atlantic Ocean via the Niger Delta,” he stated.

 

He said the sudden situation was attributed to the rapid release of waters from Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroon, adding that it had resulted in the displacement of residents of the affected communities.

He pressured that croplands and treasured infrastructure will be at risk of getting washed away through flood waters.

 

Ahmed said, “As a result of the unfolding situation, 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.”


“Furthermore, we're looking forward to to get hold of updates from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) NIMET, NEMA Operations Office in Yola Adamawa kingdom and from State Emergency Agencies of the frontline states to maintain on updating you on the scenario as it unfolds,” Ahmed said.