Flood Submerges 18 Communities, Farmlands In Niger State
Several farmlands and communities in Niger State have been submerged following heavy early morning rainfall on Sunday, which triggered floods in parts of Paikoro and Lapai Local Government Areas.
In Kafin Koro, Paikoro LGA, the downpour damaged the livelihoods of farmers.
In Lapai LGA, no fewer than 18 communities were affected, with many others at risk of being swept away.
Some of the affected communities include Dere, Eshi, Apataku, Tsakanabi, Kuchi Kakanda, Arah, Achiba, Rebba, Ebwa, Pele, Edda, Rigido, Gbami, Yawa, Baka, and Muye.
Reacting to the incident, the Niger State Government on Sunday reiterated its earlier warning to residents in flood-prone areas to relocate to higher grounds without delay.
The call was made in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication, Media and Strategy, Jonathan Vatsa.
“We as a government will continue to be proactive by appealing to the people, especially those in the flood-prone areas, to immediately move upland to avoid the experience of the Mokwa disaster,” Vatsa said.
He acknowledged the emotional and cultural attachment of residents to their ancestral lands but emphasised that saving lives must take precedence.
“The Mokwa experience is still very much with us, and we can not afford a repeat of such an experience,” he warned.
Vatsa revealed that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had previously identified 15 out of the 25 local government areas in the state as highly vulnerable to flooding during the rainy season.
He further noted that the Federal Government had also issued a flood alert warning residents of four local government areas—Rijau, Sarkin Pawa, Suleja, and Mashegu, to relocate immediately between July 31 and August 5 due to expected heavy rainfall.
The warning, issued by the National Flood Early Warning Centre under the Federal Ministry of Environment, was contained in a statement signed by the Director of the Erosion, Flood, and Coastal Zone Management Department, Usman Bokani.
He urged local and state authorities to take proactive steps to minimise the risk of disaster.
Meanwhile, Vatsa announced that the state government would soon launch a public enlightenment campaign targeting all vulnerable communities.
He called on traditional rulers, community heads, and religious leaders to support the government’s efforts in sensitising residents on the urgent need to evacuate.
Flood Submerges 18 Communities, Farmlands In Niger State is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
