Cameroon dam release alert: States plan emergency shelters

States along the flood path have begun organising makeshift shelters for impacted citizens in anticipation of the planned discharge of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon into the Rivers Niger and Benue.

On Tuesday, the Cameroonian government's proposal to release water from the Lagdo Dam was announced to Nigerians by the Federal Government.

Eleven states were mentioned as being at risk in a statement released by Umar Muhammad, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency.

These are the following: Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Cross Rivers, and Rivers.

The Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency's Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics, Danladi Obagu, gave an explanation of the state's recent efforts to establish temporary settlements for inhabitants residing in flood-prone areas on Wednesday.

Sensitisation programs have started in the state's 13 local government areas, according to Obagu, to inform people about the risks associated with residing close to flood-prone areas.

"Sites for the temporary settlement of displaced persons are already being established in flood-prone areas across the state in preparation for the impending flood," he stated.

He said that in areas where flooding could happen as a result of the Lagdo Dam's water release, the agency has sent officials to the councils of Nasarawa, Toto, Doma, Awe, Lafia, Obi, Karu, and Akwanga.

In an effort to lessen the impact of the hardship displaced people would experience, efforts are also being undertaken to provide them with relief supplies when the flood arrives. Thus, I would like to reaffirm the state government's commitment to helping all citizens who are experiencing crises and natural disasters," he continued.

The government has also started to select locations for flood victims to utilise as temporary shelters, according to information released on Wednesday by Aondowase Kunde, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in Benue State.

A technical committee on flood disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response has also been established by the state, according to Kunde.

The state's local government areas—nineteen in all—have been classified as flood-prone. Among them are Makurdi, Guma, Gwer West, Katsina-Ala, Logo, Agatu, and Apa.
In the event of flooding, this group has designated camps for the relocation of potential victims. The International Market, Akume Atongo Stadium in Katsina-Ala, LGEA Primary Schools in Wurukum and Demekpe in Makurdi, and RCM Primary School in Logo are a few of the camps, he said.

The commissioner asked locals to start moving away from riverine areas.

The National Emergency Management Agency and the State Emergency Management Agency were both put on red alert by the authorities of Taraba State.

In a phone contact with our journalist in Jalingo, Saviour Noku, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Humanitarian Affairs, revealed this.

According to Noku, radio and social media awareness efforts have already started to warn locals about the possible risks.

"We are putting in a lot of effort to make sure that people are aware of the seriousness of the situation and take the appropriate safety measures. These public service announcements—which specifically target residents of locations vulnerable to flooding—will keep airing.

"Three speedboats have been sent out on patrol in addition to the ongoing media blitz, prepared to help with emergency evacuation and offer prompt assistance in places isolated by rising waters. In order to prevent catastrophe, the government has also released recommendations advising those living in flood plains to move to safer areas before to the dam's release, he said.

The Kwara State government claimed that many government agencies had held public education programs on flooding and ways to lessen its effects in places that are vulnerable to it in a statement released by Commissioner for Communication Bola Olukoju.

There are still more of these programs in place, some of which are distributed via radio stations and local authorities. While forbidding behaviours that could worsen the concerns of climate crises and rising water levels, the government has de-silted several drainages and water passageways within the metropolis, she added.

"Our royal fathers have continued to engage people in areas prone to flooding to relocate to places long allocated for the purpose," the commissioner stated, referring to riverine settlements like Patigi, Edu, and elsewhere. We urge our citizens to heed this crucial advice, as the government stands behind them in many capacities.

The statement also demanded that the Niger River be dredged by the Federal Government as a long-term remedy for the area's recurring flooding. The state's Patigi, Edu, Moro, Kaiama, and Ilorin East Local Government locations were identified as flood-prone locations by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency.

To handle the aftermath of the recent flood calamity in Maiduguri, the state capital, the Borno State Police Command has released post-flood rules.

Mohammed Yusufu, the state commissioner of police, stated in a release released on Wednesday by Ahmed Wakil, the supervising police public relations officer for the northeast, that the command was working with relevant agencies to maintain law and order, guarantee public safety, stop criminal activity, and make it easier for affected individuals to be rescued.

In order to reduce the risk of accidents and water-borne illnesses, it asked residents to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity or person right away. It also asked them to be mindful of possible theft and looting incidents and to cooperate with emergency services and humanitarian aid workers. In order to stop false information from spreading, it also asked them to verify information before sharing it.