Flood May Take Place In Flood Prone States: NEMA

 

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has advised  Nigerians living by the river side to expect floods as Lagdo dam r continues to  release water from its dam.

This was disclosed on Saturday evening by the Director General of NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed while giving an update on the release of water from Lagdo Dam and consequential flooding of communities along the banks of River Benue.

The States that may be affected the agency  mentioned are; Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa States.

The DG 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 to avert potential damage and losses that will arise due to the flooding of communities.

NEMA promised to give further updates as it expects to receive updates from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), NIMET, NEMA Operations Office in Yola Adamawa state, and from State Emergency Agencies of the frontline states.

On the number of those that have been affected so far by flood this year, he said: “The NEMA situation room dashboard indicates that this year’s flood scenario has affected 159,157 persons, resulted in the loss of 28 persons and the displacement of 48,168 individuals in 13 States across Nigeria.”