Massive Water Release from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam Halted

The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed that the release of significant water volumes from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam, which had raised fears of extensive flooding in 11 Nigerian states, has been successfully halted by the dam’s managers.

The announcement came during a press briefing in Abuja, where officials shared that the water spilling from the dam was stopped on Monday, August 28, 2023, at 11 a.m.

Clement Nze, the Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), highlighted that June marks the start of a new hydrological year in the River Niger Basin, which spans nine countries in West and Central Africa. Nigeria, situated downstream, is directly impacted by water releases from upstream nations in this basin.

The release of water from Lagdo Dam commenced on August 14, 2023, at a rate of 200 cubic metres per second, equating to around 18 million cubic metres of water per day. The Cameroonian hydrologist overseeing the dam communicated that the release was planned to last for seven days, with the reservoir level closely monitored. The gradual reduction of water releases over time indicated that the situation was under control.

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By August 25, the water releases had significantly decreased, and on August 28, the hydrologist confirmed to the NIHSA Director-General that the water spilling had ceased completely. The flow of the River Benue system exhibited stability, with monitoring stations indicating lower water levels compared to the same period in the previous year.

This development brings relief to the communities in Nigeria that were at risk of flooding due to the water release, highlighting the importance of coordinated efforts and communication across countries sharing water resources.