Death Toll Hits 6 As Floods Displace 10,264 In Adamawa

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has confirmed the death of six persons while more than 10 others sustained injuries as floods ravaged six communities of Madagali local government area of Adamawa State.

NEMA’s Head of Operation, Yola office, Ayuba Ladan confirmed the causality while conducting on-the-spot assessment in the affected communities.

Ladan listed worst areas hit by the floods to include Kirchinga, Duhu, Maiwandu, Jahili, Kokohu, Lumadu, Zhau, Palam, Kwambula, Shiware and Shuwa.

He said the devastating incident affected about 10,264 persons with 1,711 households, majority of whom are currently taking refuge on higher grounds within the LGA.

According to the assessment, the volume of water from heavy rainfall in Shuwa overwhelmed the rivers around the communities which resulted to severe flooding.

Moreso, the water pressure led to the collapse of the Shuwa Bridge leading to Gulak.

He confirmed that houses, shops, boreholes, and many valuables were completely destroyed in the affected areas.

The local government authority, in collaboration with the Nigerian Red Cross has established about (8) centres to shelter the IDPs.

The centres are located at Lumadu Primary School, Lumadu Health Care Centre, GSS Shuwa, Central Primary School Shuwa, Christian Secondary School, shuwa, Divine Mercy School, Shuwa, Mayo-wandu, and Lumadu Model Health Care Centre.

Earlier, the state’s Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta commiserated with the affected people and the community leaders.

Farauta said the state government, through the office of State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA) had approved relief materials to the victims.

She said government would look into the plights of the victims with a view to bringing more succor to them.

Earlier the District Head of Duhu, Mustafa Mohammad; the chairman of the LGA, Mr Simon Musa Shashi both appealed to the federal and state governments to come to the aid of the victims particularly as fear of disease outbreak heightens in the area.

One of the victims, Hauwa Bunker, a mother of nine children lamented that, “our house has been washed away, it’s only a plot of land left,” adding, “We cannot question God for his action.”