The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has placed Bayelsa State and 10 other states on flood alert following plans by Cameroonian authorities to commence the controlled release of water from the Lagdo Dam.

The warning Is part of efforts to strengthen preparedness and mitigate the potential impact of flooding during the peak of the rainy season.

Other states on the alert list are Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Cross River and Rivers.

According to NEMA, the release of water from the Lagdo Dam will be carried out gradually, with the initial discharge expected to be about 100 cubic metres per second.

The agency said the volume could progressively increase to as much as 1,000 cubic metres per second, depending on the volume of water flowing into the reservoir.

NEMA urged relevant authorities and residents in the affected states to take necessary precautionary measures and strengthen their preparedness for possible flooding.

NEMA urged residents, particularly those living in communities along major rivers and other flood-prone areas, to remain vigilant and take necessary precautionary measures.

The alert is particularly important for Bayelsa, given the state’s low-lying terrain, extensive network of rivers and waterways, and vulnerability to flooding during periods of heavy rainfall and rising water levels across the Niger Delta.

Residents in flood-prone communities have been advised to monitor official information from the state government and emergency management authorities, avoid unnecessary movement through flooded areas and relocate to safer locations whenever evacuation orders are issued.

NEMA stressed that the planned release is being undertaken in a controlled manner as a preventive measure aimed at reducing the risk of an uncontrolled overflow from the dam.

The agency further called on state emergency management authorities and other relevant agencies to intensify surveillance, strengthen emergency response mechanisms and ensure that vulnerable communities receive timely and accurate information.

Residents have been warned to take the flood alert seriously, remain alert and avoid panic while paying close attention to updates and directives from relevant state and federal authorities. (The Nation)