LAFIA, Nigeria (The Informant247) – No fewer than 361,000 people have been displaced in northern Nigeria’s Nasarawa state after recent torrential rains in the past few weeks caused flooding, officials said on Thursday.
The flood affected about 23 communities in seven local government areas of the state, according to the state emergency service boss Zachary Allumaga.
He said that there is high probability that more than one million people could be displaced by flood in the state before the end of rainy season.
He said the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMet) predicted to experience serious flooding in 2022, particularly in the month of September and October.
“Towards that effect, NASEMA with the authority of the governor started sensitising the people living at the flood-prone areas like Nasarawa, Toto, Doma, Awe, Lafia, Obi, Karu and Akwanga.
“Five speed boats and live jackets were given to five LGAs along the coast of River Benue, unfortunately, flood has started ravaging in Lafia, Obi, Nasarawa, Toto, Awe, Doma and Karu with one death recorded,” he said.
According to Allumaga, efforts are been made to assist the displaced persons with some relief materials to cushion hardship they are currently facing as a result of the flood.
“We are making purchase of food items and non-food items such as grains, rice, beans, oils, mattresses, mats, blankets, toiletries, buckets, cups, food children clothes, mosquito nets among others for onward distribution to the affected persons,” Allumaga said.
He appealed to the people living in the riverine areas to move to higher ground, adding that the rains would increase with the likelihood of more flood in the months of September and October.