Cameroon Dam Opening: FG, States Reveal Plans, Issue Strong Warning to Flood-Prone Communities
- Some states have started preparing for possible flood disasters following the news that the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon will release water soon
- The likely-to-be-affected states have commenced the sensitisation of their residents and evacuation to higher lands
- National Emergency Management Agency has alerted the states of possible flooding on the banks of River Benue
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The Federal Government and state governors have reacted to the impending release of vast volumes of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) officials said no fewer than 11 states are likely to be affected by the opening of the dam, The Punch reported.
Source: Twitter
The states are: Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Cross River.
The above states have asked residents of flood-prone areas to vacate such communities to prevent deaths and other disasters.
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The acting executive secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, James Iorpuu, said the state has created designated locations to relocate people occupying flood-prone areas across the 22 local government areas that will be affected by flooding.
The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Kwanta Yakubu, said all structures built on waterways across the 13 local government Areas will be demolished.
Yakubu stated this while briefing journalists after monitoring the monthly sanitation exercise in Lafia on Saturday, August 26.
He disclosed that residents residing in flood-prone areas have been directed to relocate to safer places to protect themselves from the floods.
Taraba state government has also alerted six local government areas and issued warnings to residents living in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer places.
The Taraba state Commissioner for Information and Re-orientation, Zainab Jalingo, said six local government areas have been alerted and warned to relocate to safer places.
Jalingo said communities around Karim-Lamido, Lau, Ardo-Kola, Gassol, Wukari, and Ibi local government areas would be affected.
The Public Relations Officer of the State Emergency Management Authority in Anambra, Chinyere Nwoye, said the state had begun early warning sensitisation to all the Local Government Areas that experience flooding.
The Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Hussain, said the state had prepared its communities in case of any eventuality.
Hussain added that residents of would-be affected communities were already moving to safe zones, including schools and public centres.
Cameroon set to open Lagdo Dam
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reportedly received an alert over a looming flood on the banks of River Benue.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the alert in a letter dated August 21.
The letter, signed by Umar Salisu, the ministry’s director of African affairs, said the Cameroonian government plans to “open the flood gates of the Lagdo Dam on the Benue River in days ahead”.
Flood traps Abuja residents in their houses
Residents of the Trade Moore in the Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, were trapped in their houses after endless heavy rainfall.
The ceaseless rainfall has resulted in a serious flood, preventing residents from using the bridge. “Flood trapped unspecified numbers of people in their houses at the Trade Moore area of Lugbe in Abuja as a result of hours of ceaseless rainfall this Friday," a statement read.
Source: Legit.ng
