by Stanley Azuakola

Nigeria has a serious flooding problem on its hands. In the last three weeks, heavy flooding has been reported in Plateau, Benue, Kano and Jigawa. Now, Taraba has joined the list of states battling with the force of nature.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) disclosed on Tuesday that floods in Taraba have displaced 13,428 persons and left 30 communities submerged.

NEMA’s Head of Public Relations, Yushau Shuaib, who addressed the press, said that the affected Taraba communities are situated in Ibi and Wukari Local Government Councils of the state.

Some of the worst hit communities include Chinkai, Ando-yako, Warawa, Dampar, Ibi town, Badodo, Chaschangi, Isini, Mai itache, unguwan danbaki, Sai, Gungun Abdullahi, and Unguwan makeri.

Others are – Wazirin bannu, Sai Danpar-unguwan saraki, Unguwan Kabawa, Sarkin Noma, Unguwan Maisanko, Baruwa, and Unguwan Nufawa.

According to report, Mr. Shuaib said schools, hospitals, markets, farmlands and places of worship were affected by the flood.

The situation, according to the spokesman is worsened due to the fact that “bridges linking various communities were cut off by the flood due to overflow of River Benue as well as the
release of water from the Kiri Dam in Adamawa State and from Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroun.”

The traditional ruler of Ibi, Abubakar
Danbawo, said that “for the past 38 years we have never witnessed a disaster of this magnitude that touched everything: places of worship, houses, roads and farmlands”.

Presently, NEMA officials have organised camps in Danpar, Chinkai and Ibi registering the displaced persons and providing relief materials to them.