Taraba State Flood Warning: A major concern following the release of water into River Benue by the Lagdo Dam authorities in Cameroon.
Taraba State is once again facing the imminent threat of catastrophic floods, as the Lagdo Dam authorities in Cameroon have decided to release water into River Benue. The move comes as the state government warns residents of six local government areas – Karim-Lamido, Lau, Ardo-Kola, Gassol, Wukari and Ibbi – of the increased risk of flooding.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) recently released its forecast, warning of severe flooding in several states including Taraba, Adamawa, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross-Rivers and Rivers. This alert highlights the need for communities along the Benue River in the affected areas to relocate quickly to avoid any potential damage.
Zainab Jalingo, the Commissioner for Information and Reorientation, stressed the importance of this precautionary measure, recalling the devastating damage caused by floods in the past, particularly in 2012 and 2022. Floods remain a major concern in Nigeria, where millions of people have been displaced and thousands of homes destroyed in recent years. Furthermore, the country’s food security is also at risk, with floods affecting major agricultural producing states, exacerbating the existing food crisis.
The controlled release of water by the Lagdo Dam authorities, at a rate of 100m³/s (8.64 million cubic meters per day) since 17 September 2024, is aimed at not exceeding the capacity of the Benue River system. Despite these measures, the risk of flooding downstream remains a reality, particularly in Taraba State, which has the longest stretch of the Benue River.
Communities most at risk, such as those in Karim-Lamido, Lau, Ardo-Kola, Gassol, Wukari and Ibbi local areas, are strongly encouraged to relocate to safer locations as a precautionary measure to avoid the dangers of flooding. It is crucial that local authorities, humanitarian organizations and the government work closely together to prevent the devastating consequences of flooding and ensure the safety of affected populations.