Over a million Nigerians are likely to die if the Nyos Dam in Cameroon should collapse the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned.

The agency made this known at the presentation of a manual to prevent such an occurrence. The manual, which was endorsed on Thursday at a ceremony in Abuja by stakeholders, aims to put measures in place to mitigate flood waters from the lake from affecting the people of Benue State.

The agency said the manual, titled Lake Nyos Disaster Response Manual, was produced to “proactively prepare for the disaster that may arise from the possible collapse’’ of the Lake Nyos Dam in Western Cameroon.

Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Muhammed Sidi, said Lake Nyos was close to Nigeria and that a 2005 UNDP report had predicted that the dam was at “a point of potential collapse’’.

Sidi, who was represented by NEMA’s Director of Administration, Dr. Zanna Muhammad, said the report predicted that the collapse might be caused by gradual erosion from rain, wind and lake waters, or as a result of violent volcanic eruption.

The representative of the DG explained that the report mentioned the possibility of the breakdown of the dam within 10 years, adding that the eventual failure of the dam would result in the discharge of about 55 million cu. metres of water which would result in flooding downstream.

“It is estimated that between Cameroon border and River Benue, 50 settlements, including Katsina-Ala, Kashimbilla, Waya, Manga, Gamovo, Andie, Terwegh and over 15,000 hectares of land will be flooded.

“Also, over one million people and 20,000 heads of cattle and other livestock will be affected and could perish,” he said.

He also said that financial losses had been estimated to be in billions of naira, comprising of crops, residential and commercial structures, utilities and infrastructure, including roads and bridges and other services.

KILLER WIND

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has warned Nigerians to take precautions against violent winds that may occur during the dry season, due to the effects of climate change.

The Director-General of NIMET, Dr Anthony Anuforom, gave the warning in Abuja on Thursday.

He said, “We are transiting now from rainy to dry season; the kinds of things we may experience are violent winds. Therefore, we advise people to avoid staying under trees.

“The reason why we alert people is for them to know ahead of time and take necessary precautions.

“We have no ability to protect natural disasters but the ability to observe what the weather is and inform the people early.”

Anuforom further noted that if forecasts by the agency were strictly adhered to it could help save the situation, adding that any emergency situation could only surprise people unexpectedly if there were no early warnings.

“If adequate disaster risk measures are taken, the number of deaths will decrease because people would have known what to expect,’’ Anuforom said.

Source: Channelstv

I wish NEMA would go on air and start creating serious awareness about this impending danger rather than just giving a report about it to the authorities.

They should also start teaching the public likely to be affected some survival skills. Those that need to be relocated should also be moved as this seems like its about to happen. I really wonder if that Dam can endure more rains.

Boats should be sent to Benue and Kogi in huge numbers to hasten rescue efforts in case this eventually happens.

God Save Nigeria.

Oh God! Please do not turn ur back on us. Save dis beloveth country from all des chaos!!! Floods & Hurricane...

JESUS, MARY & JOSEPH save souls

This flooding is a serious issue o!

a 2005 UNDP report had predicted that the dam was at “a point of potential collapse’’.

They have this report since 2005 and it is only now that we know about it?. This is serious, they have to act now.

Horus:

They have this report since 2005 and it is only now that we know about it?. This is serious, they have to act now.

That's Nigeria government for you oooo.. They will never do something on time to avert loss and damages of life and properties, when they are always busy on how to loot pub funds and they keep allocating funds here and there without doing things well worth it. A stitch in time saves nine they say. May God help us avert dangers and natural disasters from our land in Jesus name, amen.

We should all be very concerned.

OMG! since 2005, and I dont even think they have any plan yet!

Lake Nyos gave off poisonous gas some years ago, killing thousands of villagers and livestock downwind from the bubbling lake. If the dam that contains that lake gives way, there could be another more massive release of poison gas. I pity all who live near that place.

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@ musiwa7;

I think your analysis is down to earth. You sound like someone who truly knows what he's talking about. But do you think this analysis of creating Adjustable Water Channel Diversion System & Water Breakers would really work?