Floods, Windstorms Ravage 7 Taraba LGAs – Agency

The Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (TSEMA), has raised the alarm over widespread destruction caused by floods, windstorms and other disasters across seven local government areas of the state.

This was just as  the state emergency agency  distributed relief materials to persons displaced by communal violence in neighbouring communities of Adamawa State.

The Executive Secretary of TSEMA, Dr Echuseh Audu, disclosed this while providing an update on the agency’s emergency response to affected communities, including displaced persons taking refuge in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Dr Audu said the prolonged heavy rainfall had caused extensive damage to residential buildings, farmlands and infrastructure in Donga, Gassol, Bali, Ussa, Kurmi, Karim Lamido and Sardauna local government areas, leaving many residents at risk of losing their livelihoods.

According to her, flooding from major rivers in Gassol destroyed buildings and submerged large areas of farmland, while Bali recorded significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.

“In Ussa, Fikyu Ward suffered damage to residential buildings and substantial agricultural losses.”

She added that the Kurmi local government has experienced widespread destruction of houses due to windstorms, flooding, and fire, while several buildings were also damaged in Karim Lamido.

“In Donga, the Akate and Gyeta Aure wards recorded significant losses involving homes, farmlands and infrastructure, while the Kakara community in Sardauna local government area was severely affected, with houses and farmlands submerged and residents displaced.

The TSEMA boss urged residents living in and around flood-prone, low-lying, and riverside communities to relocate to safer, higher ground and designated temporary camps to minimise the risk of casualties and property losses.

She acknowledged the support of the State Government, under Governor Agbu Kefas, in providing humanitarian assistance to disaster victims and pledged the agency’s continued response to affected communities in the state.

In a related development, TSEMA has distributed food and non-food items to internally displaced persons from the Kwa and Pirre communities in Adamawa State, who fled communal violence and are currently taking refuge in Bwei Baba, Makko, and Donadda communities in Donadda Ward of the Lau local government area.

The displaced persons reportedly fled a prolonged communal crisis involving the Kpasham and Kwa communities in Adamawa State, which has resulted in loss of lives, destruction of property and severe hardship.

The relief materials distributed by the agency included rice, maize, garri, spaghetti, sugar, salt, vegetable oil, tomato paste, mats and wrappers to support the immediate needs of the affected households.

Speaking during the distribution exercise on behalf of Dr Echuseh, Mr Chindo Elisha urged the beneficiaries to remain law-abiding and maintain peaceful relations with their host communities.

He assured them of the state government’s commitment to their safety and welfare while commending Governor Kefas for providing humanitarian support to displaced persons seeking refuge in the state.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Thankgod Haji, expressed appreciation to the governor for the assistance and provision of shelter.

Another beneficiary, Sarah Alpha, commended TSEMA and the state government for the timely provision of food and other essential items.

The interventions, LEADERSHIP reports, reflected the government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable residents, responding to emergencies and providing assistance to people displaced by disasters and communal conflicts.