The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has alerted on the sudden increased inundation of riverine communities and farmlands along the banks of the River Niger in Adamawa, Taraba, and Benue states in the past 48 hours.
While addressing the National Emergency Coordination Forum Meeting held on October 7, 2023, in Abuja, the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Engr. Mustapha Habib Ahmed said that the sudden situation is attributed to the rapid release of waters from the 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 the River Benue. The situation is expected to be replicated in the downstream states of Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa Kogi, Anambra, Edo Delta, and Bayelsa as the River Benue joins the River Niger and flows to the Atlantic Ocean through the Niger Delta, Ahmed said.
He further said that, as a result of the unfolding situation, authorities of state and local governments along the River Niger and Benue basin areas should immediately activate their emergency response plans to avert potential damage and losses that will arise due to the inundation of communities by flood waters.
“Furthermore, we are expecting to receive updates from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) NIMET, the NEMA Operations Office in Yola Adamawa State, and the state emergency agencies of the frontline states to keep you updated on the situation as it unfolds, Ahmed said.
Ahmed further said that the NEMA situation room dashboard, which 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.
He assured that NEMA will continue working with partners and the press to update Nigerians on the emerging situation.
Recall that on August 30, 2023, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, notified Nigerians that Lagdo Dam might commence full discharge of excess water should the region in Cameroon experience heavy and persistent rainfall.
