As the economic hardship in Nigeria continues to bite harder, some Nigerians are now having to face the risk of losing their homes to floods.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is issuing a warning that there is a possibility of some states in Nigeria experiencing flooding.
This would be due to the release of water from the Lagdo dam in Cameroon.
The NEMA Director-General, Mustapha Habib Ahmed, issued the warning on Saturday during an emergency meeting with stakeholders.
The Alert
Ahmed said the agency had been alerted to rising water levels in some communities and states that may be affected by the rapid release of waters from Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroon.
Here is a list of he states that are prone to this flooding.
Taraba
Benue
Nasarawa
Kogi
Anambra
Edo
Delta and
Bayelsa, with Adamawa already affected.
Emergency Plan
He, therefore, advised governments of the affected states to immediately activate emergency response plans.
He says the government will give further updates on the matter.
“Situation reports from Adamawa State confirms the upsurge of floodwaters along the flood plains of River Benue.
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“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,” he said.
Adamawa State
Furthermore, Ahmed warned that the water from Lagdo dam has already resulted in the displacement of residents in some communities in Adamawa State.
Also, farmlands and other infrastructure may also be washed away by the waters.
He revealed that already, information available to the agency indicated that this year’s flood scenario had affected 159,157 persons, resulted in the loss of 28 persons and the displacement of 48,168 individuals across 13 states in Nigeria.
“As a result of the unfolding situation, I want to use this opportunity to alert authorities of state and local governments along rivers Niger and Benue basin areas to immediately activate their emergency response plans.
Potential Damage
“This is to avert potential damage and losses that will arise due to inundation of communities by flood waters.
“Furthermore, we are expecting 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 to keep on updating you on the situation as it unfolds,” the NEMA boss stated.
