Two persons have been confirmed dead and 18 communities submerged following a devastating flood in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Nawani Aboki, confirmed the casualties on Monday in Lafia, describing the flood as far beyond normal seasonal flooding.
According to him, the disaster has triggered a humanitarian crisis, leaving hundreds of people displaced, with buildings destroyed and vast farmlands submerged.
Aboki said officials of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) had earlier reported 11 affected communities and over 5,000 displaced persons, but seven additional communities were discovered during an on-the-spot assessment.
He disclosed that Governor Abdullahi Sule has directed NASEMA to conduct a comprehensive assessment tour of all affected areas and submit a report for immediate government intervention.
“The Governor sent the Executive Secretary of the agency to visit all the communities. He is working on a report. We hope government will take concrete action this week,” Aboki said.
He added that the state government is mobilizing relief materials to support victims and prevent outbreak of diseases.
The Commissioner warned displaced residents not to return to their homes yet, as water levels are yet to recede and more water could be released from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
He urged residents of lowlands and other flood-prone areas to heed warnings from the state government, NEMA and NiMET to relocate to higher ground.
“But we have asked them not to go back yet. Let them wait until we see the water actually receding back to the River Benue. We are not sure if more water will be coming in from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, it will even be worse than it is currently,” he warned.
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