Heavy Rainfall Affects 82 Communities and 90 Schools in Niger State, Causes Damages Worth Millions
- Torrential downpours have submerged 82 farming communities in Mokwa LGA of Niger state, causing extensive damage
- The floodwaters have engulfed 47 primary schools and 43 primary healthcare centres, displacing numerous residents
- Despite the widespread destruction, no lives were lost, and the affected farmers have relocated to safer areas
In a devastating turn of events, at least 82 farming communities in Mokwa local government area of Niger state have been submerged by floodwaters following torrential downpours that lasted several hours on Monday and Tuesday.
The deluge has wreaked havoc, washing away hectares of farmland and valuables worth millions of naira.
Source: Getty Images
Devastating floods in Niger state
The hardest-hit areas include Muregi Ward, where 51 communities were affected, and Gbara Ward, which saw 31 communities submerged.
The floodwaters also engulfed 47 primary schools and 43 primary healthcare centres across Muregi, Gbara, and Ja’agi wards.
Among the affected communities in Muregi Ward are Egbagi-Majin Manna, Lugwa, Kpachita Wadata Edolusa, Esungi, Gbafu, Sanchiya, Kuchitagi, Badaifu, Tswasha, Jiffu, Nku kpata, and Muregi. Other submerged areas include Gbogifu, Edota-kuta, Lenfa-kuso, Giragi, Dako, Sunlati, Dakani, Twako, Yabagi, Guga, Gunji-yekogi, Gbachi, and Magi-bukun.
In Gbara Ward, the flood affected Kpata-kacha Epogi, Edogi, Suragi Gudungo Wunangi, Kipo Fofo, Tayi, Banzhi, Chewuya, Dutsun, and several other communities, Daily Trust reported.
Confirming the incident, Habibu Abubakar Wushishi, the director of media and strategy at the Niger State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, stated that no lives were lost. He added that the affected farmers had relocated to safer areas.
“The commissioner and permanent secretary received reports of flooding which occurred in various communities of Mokwa Local Government Area due to the heavy rainfall. Communities, properties, and farmlands were submerged and destroyed,” he said.
The state government has expressed its condolences to the affected communities and urged them to move to safer grounds in line with NiMet’s predictions.
Collaborative approach to climate
Adebola Oladosu, a climate expert, told Legit.ng how collaborative approach to climate solution could be effective:
“Addressing climate change and environmental degradation in Nigeria requires a collaborative approach involving both the government and citizens. By leveraging policies, investment in renewable energy, community involvement, and international cooperation, Nigeria can make significant strides toward a more sustainable future. The integration of statistical insights helps underscore the urgency and scale of the challenges and opportunities in this endeavor.”
Floods wreak havoc in Kwara state
Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that the community of Bode-Saadu, the headquarters of Moro LGA in Kwara state, found itself submerged under floodwaters on Thursday.
The deluge, which left many houses and properties, including farm crops, afloat, was the result of heavy rains that lashed the area from Tuesday through Thursday, September 17-19.
Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
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Source: Legit.ng
