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Tag: Flood

  • NEMA confirms 1 dead in Ondo flood

    NEMA confirms 1 dead in Ondo flood

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the death of one person in the Friday’s flood incident in Ondo town, Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, stated this on Tuesday while assessing the level of damage in the ancient city.

    NAN reports that torrential rainfall in Ondo town on Friday led to flash flood, with houses and vehicles submerged.

    “This is a big one; we have seen it and this is telling us that we need to do much more in terms of clearing waterways and also avoiding building on the waterways.

    “We have seen it and we have done rapid assessment and we will see how we can collaborate with other agencies to see how we can assist further.

    “It is very unfortunate that we lost one person. My advice is that people of Ondo should clear their waterways and support the government,” she said.

    Umar said that it was worrisome that despite earlier forecasts by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), there could still be victims of flooding.

    According to her, there is need to clear waterways and stop hindering free movement of water.

    The NEMA DG added that the flood situation was expected to persist until the end of November, asking state and local governments to allocate resources and provide support to communities.

    She promised that NEMA would provide necessary assistance and would continue to collaborate with the state government and other stakeholders in restoring normalcy and ensure that people recover from the devastating incident.

    The DG earlier paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy Gov. Olayide Adelami and Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo.

  • Flood: Kogi govt opens alternative route for motorists

    Flood: Kogi govt opens alternative route for motorists

    The Kogi State Government has opened up a 5 kilometres alternate route in Nyamanyama village on Ganaja – Ajaokuta Road, to serve as a bypass, in case the main Ganaja Road become impassable due to flooding.

    Gov. Ahmed Ododo, recently directed the state Flood Disaster Response Team, to immediately open up an alternate route to the main Ganaja Road.

    This, he said, was to ensure that motorists do not suffer from the hardship of possible blockage of the main road by the increasing level of flood waters in the area.

    The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that motorists and passengers were not subjected to extreme difficulty on the road.

    The state’s Deputy Governor, Mr Joel Salifu, Chairman of the Flood Disaster Response Team, led the team to inspect the construction of the road on Sunday in Lokoja.

    He said that the team had responded swiftly to the governor’s directive to open up an alternate road in the area.

    He maintained that the move was to ameliorate the possible hardship that people could face should the main Ganaja road be obstructed by flood as the waters approached the danger threshold.

    Also, Mohammed Yusuf, the Commissioner for Works and member of the team, expressed satisfaction with the progress of work on the road.

    He said that the measure had shown responsive governance on the part of the Governor.

    Mr Kingsley Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, who spoke to newsmen after the inspection visit, said that the flood had reached a devastating stage.

    He noted that the popular Ganaja -Ajaokuta Road remained the gateway to the South-East and South-South Nigeria, and used by hundreds of thousands of commuters everyday.

    “Over the years, commuters went through hell on that road in during flood. However, this measure is no doubt, a savior.

    “We have already started seeing the devastating effects of the flood with  properties worth billions being destroyed. Farmlands and other valuables have been washed away.

    “Only 25 per cent of Ibaji Local Government is above water level at the moment. The remaining 75 per cent is under the water.

    “Also, the entire Kupa District has been submerged. Ajaokuta, Gegu, Edeha and many other communities are already counting their losses.

    “We are calling on the Federal Government to come to the aid of Kogi. Our resources are over-stretched as we strive to save the situation”, he said.

  • Devastating flood destroys houses, farmlands in Plateau State

    Devastating flood destroys houses, farmlands in Plateau State

    A devastating flood in Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State has destroyed 80 houses and farmlands, displacing thousands of persons and leaving them without belongings.

    The flood, which occurred between Friday and Sunday, fortunately, did not claim any lives.

    Mr Yintim Nimilam, Secretary of Sabon Gida Community Development Association, described the incident as unfortunate, highlighting the displacement of over 80 households.

    “The displaced persons are currently seeking shelter with neighbors, friends, and relatives”

    Another resident, Mr Nandul Solomon, expressed the community’s distress, calling for urgent government intervention to alleviate their suffering.

    “We are appealing to the government and relevant authorities to come to our rescue,” he urged.

  • GOOD NEWS: Risk of severe flood lowers as River Benue water level recedes

    GOOD NEWS: Risk of severe flood lowers as River Benue water level recedes

    The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has announced a slight decrease in River Benue’s water levels in recent days, lowering the risk of severe flooding.

    NIHSA’s Director-General, Mr Umar Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.

    Mohammed reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to monitoring the water levels of the nation’s major rivers and tributaries, as part of its overall flood management strategy in Nigeria.

    He urged citizens to remain vigilant due to unpredictable climate conditions and to continue observing flood preparedness protocols.

    “NIHSA is working closely with the authorities and management of Lagdo Dam regarding water releases, and the agency is committed to monitoring water levels at critical stations,” he said.

    NIHSA’s 2024 Annual Flood Outlook reveals that 148 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across 31 states are at high risk of flooding.

    The affected states include Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Kebbi.

    Others are Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba and Yobe.

  • Flood ravages UI hostels, destroys student’s property

    Flood ravages UI hostels, destroys student’s property

    Heavy flooding on Friday caused significant damage at the University of Ibadan, leading to the destruction of books, foodstuffs, and other essential belongings.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the flood threw the university community in disarray, with losses amounting to millions of Naira.

    Numerous documents and other valuable items were also destroyed during the incident.

    According to investigations conducted, The Punch, the flood severely impacted some of the student hostels, submerging property and leaving students in distress.

    One student, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that the most affected residence was Awo Hostel, where approximately 16 rooms on the underground level were completely flooded.

    “The most affected hall of residence is Awo Hostel where about 16 rooms in the underground floor were completely submerged with students’ property floating on the water,” the student said.

    Another source shared, “The students’ foodstuffs, documents and property, especially those that went for examinations were destroyed.

    “The flood took over students’ rooms, toilets, kitchens and all the entrances to their hostel.

    “The flood took over my friend’s room, and destroyed everything she has, including the ones in her cupboard.”

  • BREAKING: Cholera hits Borno after flood disaster

    BREAKING: Cholera hits Borno after flood disaster

    The Borno State Government has announced the outbreak of cholera, an extremely serious disease that can cause severe acute watery diarrhoea with severe dehydration.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Prof Baba Mallam Gana made the announcement at a press briefing in Maiduguri on Friday.

    Cholera is caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It spreads also through contaminated food or water and affects both children and adults and can kill within hours if untreated.

    The cholera outbreak in Borno is coming in light of the devastating flood disaster that struck Maiduguri metropolis and other surrounding local government areas (LGAs) recently.

    Although no death has been recorded, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services at the press briefing said out of the two hundred samples sent for testing, seventeen returned positive.

    Prof Gana attributed the outbreak to the recent flood disaster that ravaged parts of the State with Jere, Mafa, Konduga, Dikwa and MMC LGA making up the seventeen confirmed cholera cases.

    The State Government has, therefore, declared immediate response to control the outbreak as partners and humanitarian agencies like the WHO, MSF have put in place facilities to handle the suspected cases.

    The Commissioner also noted that about four hundred thousand vaccines have been made available.

    Cholera outbreak: 287,708 people vaccinated

    Meanwhile, Gana at the press briefing to officially declare the cholera outbreak in the State, revealed that no fewer than 287,708 people have been vaccinated against the disease.

    Gana said that the immunisation that started on September 25 was 96 per cent successful. The commissioner added that the proactive measures taken by the state and other stakeholders were responsible for the zero mortality recorded.

    “So far, no death was recorded out of the 17 confirmed cases from the most affected local government areas of Maiduguri, Jere, Mafa, Konduga, and Monguno. The state had received 300,000 doses of Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV) from the Federal Ministry of Health, which were distributed to displaced persons camps and flood-affected communities.

    “The state is still expecting an additional 600,000 doses of OCV. However, we are still recording an increasing number of Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD), which is not unconnected with the flood devastation,” he said.

    The commissioner urged for precautionary measures by the public, particularly in areas of hygiene and sanitation. He charged the media to partner with the government in providing adequate awareness and preventive measures to the public.

  • Kogi: 70 communities submerged in flood

    Kogi: 70 communities submerged in flood

    Following the flood that submerged 70 communities in Kogi, the state government has appealed to the Federal Government to urgently intervene to mitigate the impact of the flood.

    The Deputy Governor, Joel Salifu, made the appeal during an inspection tour to the Edeha community in Kogi Local Government area, affected by the flood.

    Salifu, who doubles as Chairman, 2024 Kogi State Flood Disaster Response Committee, said that in spite of the state’s preparedness, the present situation in Edeha and other communities along the route was beyond what it could handle.

    “It is obvious that the present situation is beyond what the Kogi State Government can handle alone. It is clear that over 70 communities have been affected by the flood and thousands of homes and farmlands submerged.

    “The number of damaged properties, including farmlands, is yet to be ascertained. As such, the intervention of the Federal Government is urgently needed in the affected areas,” he pleaded.

    He, however, expressed joy that no life was lost as most of the affected communities have moved to the internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps set up by the state.

    The Deputy Governor assured the commitment of the state to doing its best in ameliorating the suffering of the affected persons. He affirmed that all the necessary steps have been put in place at the 48 IDP camps set up across the state.

    The Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (KOSEMA), Mr Mourktar Atimah, promised that the state would continue to take care of the victims.

    Chief of Edeha Community, Abdullahi Isah, commended the state government for its promptness in visiting them.

    Isah, who corroborated the deputy governor’s plea for federal government’s help, said about 70 to 80 communities have been affected by the flood, describing it as a perennial occurrence.

    “We appreciate the presence of the Deputy Governor today, but we beg the FG to come in to assist us. We have all moved to higher land, and most of our people are presently at the IDP camps.

    “We beg the Federal Government, corporate and international organisations, and individuals to come to our aid. We know the state government has human feelings, but they cannot do it alone,” Isah said.

    The Deputy Governor was accompanied by the Kogi Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, and other members of the flood committee.

    The team had earlier visited the Palace of the Ohimegye of Kotonkarfe, where the deputy governor intimated the traditional ruler of the state government’s efforts in handling the flood disaster.

  • Flood: FG orders integrity tests on all dams

    Flood: FG orders integrity tests on all dams

    Worried by worsening incidents of devastating floods across the country, the Federal Government has ordered an integrity test on all dams in Nigeria.

    President Bola Tinubu announced this on Tuesday in the National Broadcast to mark the nation’s 64th Independence Anniversary.

    He said the measure is aimed at averting future disasters.

    Tinubu particularly expressed deep concern over the flood that destroyed lives and properties in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno, and promised to ensure that there was no repeat of such.

    “Our government has been responding to the recent natural disasters, particularly the flooding in parts of the country.

    “After Vice President Kashim Shettima visited Maiduguri, I also visited to assure our people that this federal government will always stand with our people in their times of trouble.

    “At the last meeting of the Federal Executive Council, we approved a Disaster Relief Fund to mobilise private and public sector funds to help us respond faster to emergencies.

    “Our government has also ordered integrity tests of all our dams in the country to avert future disasters,” he said.

    Tinubu also emphasised the need for Nigerians to support government efforts and policies targeted at improving living conditions.

    He also spoke on current reforms aimed at improving the nation’s economy.

    “What we are doing is to retool our economy to serve us better.

    “We are also looking at more sustainably.

    “If we do not correct the fiscal misalignments that led to the current economic downturn, our country will face an uncertain future and the peril of unimaginable consequences.

    “Thanks to the reforms, our country has attracted foreign direct investments worth more than $30 billion in the last year.

    “We are committed to free enterprise, free entry, and free exit in investments while maintaining the sanctity and efficacy of our regulatory processes.

    “This principle guides the divestment transactions in our upstream petroleum sector, where we are committed to changing the fortune positively,” he said.

  • Flood alert: NOA urges Nasarawa riverine communities to relocate to highlands

    Flood alert: NOA urges Nasarawa riverine communities to relocate to highlands

    National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged riverine communities in Nasarawa State on the fringes of River Benue to relocate to higher grounds in view of the impending flood.

    Mallam Lanre Onilu, Director – General of NOA, made the appeal during a  media and stakeholders engagement on “Flood Safety Alert” on Sunday in Lafia.

    According to him, the appeal to the riverine communities to move to high grounds became necessary considering the rising water level in River Benue due to the release of waters from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.

    Onilu, represented by Director, Planning, Research and Strategy, Alh. Yusuf Kobi, explained that the stakeholders engagement aimed at intensifying sensitisation for the flood frontline states to take precautionary measures to avert loss of lives and property in the event of flooding.

    “We are here to monitor flood safety alert campaign by our various offices in the 11 flood frontline states across the country, of which Nasarawa state is one.

    “We started with Kogi, followed by Edo, Anambra, Benue and here we are in Nasarawa today, the same campaign is on going in Rivers, Cross River, Adamawa and Taraba states respectively.

    “We are sensitising the riverine communities to be proactive, we should not allow what happened in 2012 and 2022 to happen again, where many lives were lost and thousands of houses were submerged,” he said.

    The director general, while appreciating the support of the stakeholders, called for a robust collaboration with the traditional rulers and the media to amplify the message in order to save lives and property.

    “I want to encourage our officers nationwide to take people’s response on issues, especially flood to enable us submit a comprehensive report to the government to mitigate impacts of flooding,” said.

    Also speaking, Dr Priscilla Gondoaluor, Director NOA, Nasarawa State, said that the state had experienced its share of the flood disaster within the last three years with attendant lost of lives and property.

    She appealed to flood- prone communities to take precautionary measures such as evacuation, cleaning of drains, building of flood defence barriers, as well as stockpile essential supplies like foods, water, and first aid kits at easily accessible location.

    “All our offices in the 13 LGAs  are already out particularly in the flood prone areas, creating awareness. Our jingles in english and in indigenous languages are already on air.

    “We are also embarking on advocacy visits to traditional and religious leaders,” she said.

    On his part, a traditional ruler, Mr Sunday Namo, the Aren Koron Kuje, said that giving the devastating effects of flooding, the traditional rulers in the state had taking it upon themselves to create awareness and educate their  subjects to relocate from valleys to high grounds.

    Namo commended NOA for the initiative and said that it would add impetus to the flood awareness already started by the traditional rulers in the state.

    “It’s indeed one of the cardinal objectives of the traditional rulers in the state to sensitise and educate our subjects on issues of great importance as this flood safety alert,” he said.

  • Flood wreaks havoc on 21 LGAs as Kebbi govt seeks FG’s support

    Flood wreaks havoc on 21 LGAs as Kebbi govt seeks FG’s support

    The Kebbi Government has called on the Federal Government, local and international partners to urgently come to the aid of flood victims in the state.

    Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, made the call at a news conference on the devastating impact of the flood disaster in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.

    Ahmed-BK said that 16 out of the 21 local government areas were hard-hit, leaving 329,000 houses destroyed and 858,000 hectares of farmlands washed away by the disaster.

    He listed some of the worst affected LGAs to include, Argungu, Birnin Kebbi, Ngaski, Jega, Augie, Yauri, Maiyama, Shanga, Koko-Besse, and Gwandu, among others.

    “None of the 21 LGAs of the state was spared by this devastating flood and almost all households in the state are either directly or indirectly affected.

    “This was in spite of all the proactive measures taken by the state government to stem the tide of the flood disaster.

    “The state government promptly acted upon the flood alerts earlier received from Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Hydrological Agency (NIHA).

    “The disaster has hugely affected the livelihood of the generality of the people of the state, especially the rural dwellers.

    “Seven victims were reportedly dead in Ngaski LGA, eight in Maiyama, five in Kalgo, seven in Jega and two in Birnin Kebbi local government area,” the commissioner said.

    He also said that hundreds of thousands of tonnes of assorted farm produce had been destroyed by the flood, hence, impacting negatively on the state’s invaluable contributions to the nation’s food supply chain.

    Ahmed-BK described the development as a bad omen for national food security, “as the state remained an indispensable hub of rice production in the country.”

    He therefore, called for an urgent support to the affected farmers, adding that there was an impending food scarcity in the state and the country in general.

    According to him, to prevent the impending doom, there is the need for well-meaning individuals and groups from within and outside the country to extend helping hands to the affected farmers.

    “They should be assisted with assorted improved seeds and other inputs for them to engage in dry season farming, so as to empower them to bounce back.

    “This will encourage and empower the farmers, bolster food production and ultimately have multiplier effects on Nigeria’s food supply chain,” he said.

    Ahmed-BK recalled that the state government had set-up standing committees at the state and local government levels, with a view to assessing the extent of damages caused by the colossal flood disaster across the state.

    He said that the essence was to come up with some measures and actions to assist the flood victims.

    “But, due to the extent of damage caused by the disaster, there is the need for collective actions to assist the victims.

    “Kebbi State Government is doing its best in this direction, but it needs the support of all and sundry, locally and internationally,” the commissioner pleaded.

    He said that the committee established by the state government, led by the Deputy Gov., Sen. Umar Abubakar-Tafida, was working tirelessly to alleviate the impact of the flood on the victims.