Two die as flood submerges 18 Nasarawa communities

The Nasarawa State Government has confirmed the death of two persons and the displacement of residents across more than 18 communities following severe flooding in the Doma Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Nawani Aboki, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Lafia, the state capital, on Monday.

Aboki described the incident as a serious humanitarian disaster, saying several buildings and farmlands had been destroyed by the flood.

He said the flooding affected the Eke Development Area of Doma LGA, displacing hundreds of residents.

“Recently, there was an issue of flooding in Eke Development Area of Doma Local Government, where over 18 communities were affected.

“It was not just normal flooding, but massive flooding that took place. A lot of people were displaced, and several buildings were destroyed, including farmlands,” he said.

The commissioner said Governor Abdullahi Sule, upon receiving reports of the disaster, directed the Director-General of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency to visit the affected communities and assess the extent of the damage.

He added that the agency was compiling a report to guide the government’s response.

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Aboki said he had personally visited the affected areas alongside the Chairman of Doma LGA to sympathise with the victims and condole with the families of those who died.

On the situation of the displaced residents, he said many had taken refuge in communities on higher ground, including Agyema, Agbachi and Rukubi, all in Doma LGA.

He noted that the influx of displaced persons had placed additional pressure on the host communities, adding that the government was committed to facilitating their return to their homes when the floodwaters receded and it was safe to do so.

However, Aboki cautioned the displaced residents against returning to their homes prematurely, citing uncertainty over a possible release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.

He said the government had begun arrangements to provide relief materials and other essential supplies to the affected communities to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.

The commissioner also urged residents of flood-prone lowland areas to relocate to higher ground in compliance with advisories issued by the National Emergency Management Agency and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.