Subscribe: Gist E-Paper
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has placed Bayelsa and 10 other states on flood alert following the planned controlled release of water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam.
The agency said the warning is aimed at boosting preparedness and reducing the impact of possible flooding during the peak of the rainy season.
The affected states are Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Cross River, Rivers and Bayelsa.
According to NEMA, Cameroonian authorities will begin the water release gradually, with an initial discharge of about 100 cubic metres per second, which could increase to as much as 1,000 cubic metres per second depending on inflows into the reservoir.
The agency urged state governments, emergency management agencies and residents in the affected areas to activate flood preparedness measures and remain vigilant.
NEMA advised people living in riverine and flood-prone communities to closely monitor official updates, avoid moving through flooded areas and relocate to safer grounds whenever evacuation directives are issued.
The agency noted that Bayelsa remains particularly vulnerable because of its low-lying terrain and extensive network of rivers and creeks, which make it susceptible to flooding during periods of heavy rainfall and rising water levels.
It explained that the controlled release of water is a preventive measure designed to avert an uncontrolled overflow from the dam.
NEMA also called on state emergency management authorities to strengthen surveillance, improve emergency response capacity and ensure timely dissemination of information to vulnerable communities.
The agency urged residents to take the warning seriously, remain calm and comply with all safety directives issued by relevant state and federal authorities.
