The Nigerian government has issued a flood warning for 11 states following the controlled release of water from the Lagdo dam in neighboring Cameroon.
Nigeria’s hydrological agency announced on Wednesday that while the water release from the dam would be gradual, it could potentially cause flooding in affected areas. However, officials stressed there was no immediate cause for alarm.
This warning comes as northeastern Nigeria grapples with severe flooding that has already impacted over 400,000 people, according to United Nations reports. The floods have been particularly devastating in Borno state, forcing many residents from their homes into displacement sites.
Earlier this month, flooding in Borno state resulted in 30 fatalities following the collapse of a major dam. Approximately 15% of Maiduguri, the state capital, was submerged.
The flooding has exacerbated the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Nigeria, where armed conflict, especially in the northern regions, has already displaced millions of people.
This year, West Africa has experienced some of its worst flooding in decades, affecting more than 2 million people – triple the number impacted last year. In 2022, over 600 people in Nigeria were affected by flooding when water was released from the same Lagdo dam in Cameroon.
The Nigerian hydrological agency is closely monitoring the situation and urging residents in potentially affected areas to stay alert and follow official guidelines.
