Saturday, 29 June 2013

Panic Rises As Cameroon Opens Flood Gates Again

More than 500 communities in Benue state are now at risk of being washed out by flood as Cameroonian authority have started releasing water from Lagdo dam. This is coming on the heels of rising levels of River Benue, according to an announcement by the Benue state government.

The warning has heightened fears particularly among the inhabitants of five local government areas of Makurdi, Guma, Agatu, Gwer West and Logo who suffered adversely as a result of the flood last year.

Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Agency (SEMA), Adikpo Agbatse who conveyed the message on behalf of the government on the State owned Radio broadcasting station today said the Cameroon authority would release water from the dam this morning. Agbatse therefore enjoined the people in vulnerable areas to be on the watch out when the volume of water on River Benue begin to rise so that they can move to higher ground for safety of their lives and properties.

Some residents who expressed their fears at the latest development stated: “We heard on radio this morning that the flood would begin any moment from now and we are really scared. What will happen to our children still in academic session and where do we go from here. “Government should quickly come to our aid by providing an alternative camp as they promised us last year instead of waiting for the fire brigade approach”.

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