The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has said that Kainji and Jebba dams have started spilling excess water from their dams, with Shiroro dam, expected to shed excess water by October.
This means that residents in Niger, and Kwara are likely to be even more affected, with Nigeria expected to still be experiencing heavy rainfalls by October.
This comes as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and NIHSA have also announced the displacement of 100,000 Nigerians due to flooding.
NEMA has said that 300 people have died, over 500 persons have been injured. Jigawa state alone has recorded 91 deaths in 2022.
NEMA also said that in 29 states, including the federal capital, people have experienced heavy flooding with more than 500,000 persons already affected.
According to NEMA, displaced people are living either in temporary shelters including schools, or other public buildings.
NEMA and NIHSA say that operators of the Cameroon-based Lagdo Dam have commenced the release of excess water from the reservoir.
The water from the dam will cascade into Nigeria through River Benue, affecting communities in Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Niger, Taraba, and Adamawa.
On September 8, NIHSA announced that the agency is in close contact with the Cameroonian authorities with regard to flood scenarios in the upper catchment of the sub-basin.
The agency’s director general, Engr. Clement Nze, had said that spillage of water from Lagdo dam can only take place once the reservoir level approaches 216m.
