The Federal Government has dismissed reports that water released from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam is responsible for flooding in parts of Nigeria.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) said on Sunday that the reports circulating on social and electronic media were false.
Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiHSA, Umar Mohammed, said the Lagdo Dam authority was currently impounding water rather than releasing it.
“The attention of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) has been drawn to reports circulating in the electronic and social media alleging that the release of water from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon has started causing flooding in the Benue River Basin in Nigeria, particularly in Taraba and Benue States,” he said.
“NiHSA wishes to state categorically that this information is completely incorrect. The general public is hereby assured that Lagdo dam Authority is presently not releasing water from their reservoir but impounding waters into it.”
Mohammed said the current water level at the Lagdo Reservoir was 209.82 metres, compared with its maximum operating level of 216 metres, leaving 6.18 metres for additional water to be impounded.
He added that Kainji and Jebba dams on the River Niger were also operating within normal levels.
Kainji Reservoir currently stood at 130.38 metres against a maximum operating level of 141.83 metres, while Jebba Reservoir stood at 100.03 metres.
“Hence, no cause for alarm,” Mohammed said.
He explained that the flooding being experienced in different parts of the country was mainly caused by flash floods resulting from intense and prolonged rainfall, compounded by poor drainage, indiscriminate waste disposal and unauthorised urban development.
The agency advised Nigerians not to panic or rely on unverified information circulating online.
NiHSA said any release of water from Lagdo Dam capable of affecting downstream communities in Nigeria would follow established dam-management procedures and be communicated through official channels.
The agency said it would continue monitoring the Lagdo Reservoir, inland rivers and other water bodies across the country to provide reliable flood information and early warnings.
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