The Federal Government on Tuesday alerted Nigerians to the water release from the Lagdo dam in Cameroon.

The FG made this known in a statement signed by the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Umar Muhammed.

The statement noted that the authorities of the dam would initiate controlled water releases starting today, September 17, 2024, adding that the water discharge is anticipated to progressively escalate to 1000m³/s over the next seven days based on the inflow from the upstream Garoua River.

The statement read, “The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency wishes to notify the general public that the authorities of the Lagdo dam in Cameroon have communicated to the agency that they will initiate controlled water releases at a rate of 100m³/s (8,640,000m³/day) starting today, September 17, 2024.

“The water discharge is anticipated to progressively escalate to 1000m³/s over the next seven days based on the inflow from the upstream Garoua River, which serves as the primary source into the reservoir and a significant tributary to the Benue River.”

It noted that “nonetheless, the dam operators have indicated that the planned water discharges will be gradual to avoid surpassing the conveyance capacity of the Benue River system and triggering substantial flooding downstream in Nigeria.

“The overflow from the Lagdo dam is projected to cease once there is a noticeable reduction in the flow into the Lagdo reservoir.

The agency, however, said there is no cause for alarm “as major flooding downstream in Nigeria is not anticipated since the flow levels along the Benue River are still within cautionary limits.

The statement that all states bordering the Benue River system, namely: Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross-Rivers, and Rivers, along with the government at all levels (Federal, State, and LGAs), to “heighten their vigilance and implement appropriate preparedness measures to mitigate potential flooding impacts that may arise due to an increase in flow levels of our major rivers during this period.”

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to “diligently monitor the flow conditions of the transboundary Benue River and the national inland rivers, and consistently provide regular updates on water levels across major rivers to prevent further flood disasters.”