Cameroon Dam Opening: Massive Flooding, Food Scarcity, Disease To Hit

Cameroon Dam Opening

OpenLife Nigeria reports that massive flood, food scarcity, disease are likely to hit Nigeria soon as Cameroon is set to open its Dam.

In that direction, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned Nigerians to prepare for the massive flood in the coming days as Cameroon is expected to open Lagdo Dam situated on Benue River.

NEMA revealed this in a recent statement signed by the Director, African Affairs, Ambassador Umar Salisu.

The agency affirmed that both Nigeria and Cameroon are to experience flooding, as Lagdo Dam authorities, will release modulated variable small amount of water.

It, therefore, called on stakeholder organisations to sensitise the people, so as to engage in activities that will mitigate the flood.

“I have the honour to inform that the Ministry is in receipt of a Note Verbale from the High Commission of the Republic of Cameroon informing that Cameroonian officials have resolved to open the flood gates of the Lagdo Dam on the Benue River in days ahead due to the heavy rainfall around the Dam catchment area in Northern Cameroon,” the statement read.

“According to the Note, it is pertinent to note that when the release of water becomes necessary, the authorities of the Lagdo Dam will be releasing only modulated variable small amount of water at a time in order to mitigate and avoid damages that the released water may cause along the River Benue basin in both Cameroon and in 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 populace living in such areas for vigilance and all necessary precautions,” it added.

Effect On Food supply

Part of the negative impacts of flooding is the shortage of food supply in the affected areas and to other parts that depend on farming products from those areas. During flooding, farmlands are washed away while food banks, whether at the residents’ homes or warehouses, are also destroyed or washed away by the floods.

The Lagdo Dam

OpenLife has gathered that the construction of the Lagdo Dam located in northern Cameroon started in 1977 and was completed in 1982.

Records indicate that Cameroon and Nigeria were supposed to build two dams at inception, such that the Nigerian dam, known as Dasin Hausa dam which was to be in Adamawa State, would contain water released from the Lagdo Dam at any point in time.

The Dasin Hausa dam was supposed to be two and a half the size of the Lagdo dam, meant to supply electricity to the northern part of Cameroon and also aid irrigation.

Effect

In 2022, at least, flooding killed more than 300 persons, injured 500 persons and displaced 100,000 others, according to records disclosed by the National Emergency Management Agency, in September of that year, by its Director-General, Mustapha Ahmed.