Nigeria's government has issued a warning about potential flooding in 11 states following the release of water from a dam in Cameroon. The Nigerian hydrological agency announced that water would be gradually released from the Lagdo dam, which could lead to flooding in the affected areas. However, they assured the public that there is no immediate cause for alarm.
The impact of severe floods in northeastern Nigeria has been significant, affecting over 400,000 individuals, as reported by the United Nations. In Borno state, flooding has forced many residents out of their homes and into displacement sites. Tragically, recent flooding in the state resulted in the loss of 30 lives after a major dam collapsed. The capital city of Maiduguri in Borno state has also been severely affected, with approximately 15% of the city submerged under water.
The ongoing flooding has exacerbated the existing humanitarian crisis in Nigeria, where widespread armed violence, particularly in the troubled northern region, has already displaced millions of people. This year, West Africa has witnessed some of the most severe flooding in decades, impacting more than 2 million individuals, a threefold increase compared to last year. In 2022, over 600 people were affected by flooding in Nigeria when water was released from the Lagdo dam in Cameroon.
