Flood Looms In Nigeria As Cameroon Releases Dam …Kills Two, Washes Away Farmland, Crops In Plateau

The new Managing Director of NNPC, Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu (left), being led into the Presidential Villa by the Liason Officer, Mr Nura Rimi, in Abuja, on Wednesday

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned Nigerian states along River Benue of likely impending flood as Cameroonian authorities announce plan to  release excess water from Lagdo Dam.
The safety agency, in a statement, yesterday, said the warning became imperative as a similar exercise in 2012 led to massive flooding and loss of lives and property in Nigerian communities.
It quoted NEMA’s Director General, Muhammad Sidi, as confirming that the Cameroonian authorities in Garuoa would embark on the draining exercise between August and November this year.
Sidi urged governors of the concerned states to put safety measures in place and be prepared for possible evacuation of their citizens ahead of the planned release of excess water from Lagdo Dam.
“All those living around the dam and along River Benue in Garoua up to Nigeria side should be alert and be ready for evacuation in case of possible flooding,” Sidi said.
The DG, who disclosed that the agency would not relent on its sensitisation efforts, however,  urged authorities of other emergency safety bodies to also be on the alert.
Sidi added, “It would be recalled that the release of excess water from the (Lagdo) dam in 2012 contributed to massive flooding of communities along the river.
“Consequently, in 2013, the two countries (Nigeria and Cameroon) reached an agreement that Cameroon was to give early warning to enable Nigeria put in place proactive measures to prevent destruction of lives and property.”
Meanwhile, two persons on Wednesday died while one was missing following floods caused by a heavy downpour in three communities in Gindiri Chiefdom of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau.
The paramount ruler of Pyem Chiefdom, Mr Charles Mato, said this during a visit to the scene by the Council Chairman, Mr Bise Titus.
Titus, however, described the incident as “very devastating and unfortunate”.
He was told that the flood also destroyed several houses, farmlands and crops worth millions of naira in Gindiri, Langai and Gimti communities.
“This flood that brought about these loses is devastating, painful and unfortunate; but we must take solace in God who knows the best.
“With the loss of precious lives of our citizens, the authority will take the report to the state government to help us construct the Gindiri-Langai road to checkmate the incessant flooding in the area,” Bise said.
Bise said the flood was caused by the blockage of the drains by the culverts constructed on rivers Langai, Gimti and Gindiri.
He pledged to liaise with the state government to ensure that road and bridges were constructed to avoid a re-occurrence.
While sympathising with the victims of the flood, Bise pledged the council’s readiness to assist them.
He called on people of the communities to be vigilant, to avoid further casualty as the rainfall pattern was still heavy.
Mato, however, thanked the chairman for the concern and visit and expressed the hope that the state and local government would assist the victims