Disaster from Cameroon: Excess water from Lagdo Dam kills 15 in Kano

By Laide Akinbooade, with Agency Report

ABUJA—KANO State Rehabilitation and Emergency Relief Agency, KSRERA, yesterday, confirmed the death of 15 persons in a flood that swept through nine local governments due to the release of excess water from the reservoir of Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, even as the Federal Government confirmed media report of 15 dead caused by same flood in Adamawa State.

Director of Operations at the agency, Alhaji Shehu Maitama, told newsmen that the flood destroyed houses and farmlands estimated at N120 million, and displaced more than 2,000 families.

Maitama listed the local government areas, where houses were destroyed, to include Bagwai, Bebeji, Gabasawa, Garun Malam, Karaye, Nassarawa and Sumaila. Farmlands were washed away in Doguwa and Tudun Wada local government areas.

Maitama said the agency had requested for relief materials from the state government, after thorough assessment of the affected areas. He added that the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, had been informed about the incident.

In the case of Adamawa State, the Federal Government also confirmed that over 10,000 persons were displaced and 10 local government areas affected.

Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Muham-mad Sidi, stated this at the meeting organised by NEMA in Abuja on the release of water from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.

He said the report that was received from Cameroon High Commission in Abuja, on the August 23 indicated that if the trend of heavy rain continued in the next few weeks, more water would be released from the reservoir till October.

It would be recalled that Lagdo Dam in northern Cameroon released water on Saturday, which led to flooding that submerged several settlements in Adamawa State, killing people and displacing thousands of families. Many were reported missing.

Worst-hit areas are in Fufore, Girei, Yola South, Yola North, Demsa, Numan, Lamorde, Shelleng, Michika, Guyuk and Ganye local governments.

It was alleged that the flooding occurred at night, while victims were asleep, leaving them with no opportunity to save property.

Sidi said: “Reports reaching us from Adamawa State have confirmed that out of the 10,524 affected persons in 10 local government areas, 15 people have lost their lives.

“The steep elevation of Adamawa Plateau coupled with the sudden release of excess water on 24 August has created a great risk of inundation of the lowland communities of North-Eastern Nigeria, especially those located within River Benue drainage basin.”