By Kamsi Anayo
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has put 13 states on the red alert for imminent flooding.
The states on the banks of River Benue are Bayelsa, Anambra, Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Niger, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Cross River, and Rivers States.
NEMA issued the alert following a notification from the Foreign Affairs Ministry that Cameroon plans to open the Lagdo Dam.
Besides the impending flooding, the agency warned that Kainji, Shiroro and Jebba dams could overflow between now and the end of October.
The situation, according to NEMA may be worsened owing to the release of water from the Cameroonian dam.
In the letter signed by Ambassador Umar Salisu, the Director, African Affairs, the ministry urged the necessary agency to step up efforts to mitigate damages.
The envoy also urged the agency for sensitization of the areas that may be impacted by the opening of the Dam.
The statement reads: “I have the honour to inform that the ministry is in receipt of a note verbale from the High Commission of Republic of Cameroon informing that Cameroonian officials have resolved to open the flood gate of Lagdo Dam in the Benue River in days ahead due to heavy rainfall around the dam catchment area in the Northern Cameroon.
“According to the note, it is pertinent to note that when the release of water becomes necessary, the authorities of Lagdo Dams will be releasing only modulated variable small amount of water at a time in order to mitigate and avoid damages that the release may cause along River Benue Basin in both Cameroon and Nigeria.
“In view of the above, it would be appreciated if the esteemed agency takes all the necessary proactive steps and actions that will mitigate the damage as well as sensitize the people living in such areas for vigilance and all necessary precautions.”