Casualties in the flood disaster that ravaged parts of Adamawa State has risen to 23 victims.
Adamawa State governor, Ahmadu Fintiri on Monday, commiserated with the families of 23 victims who lost their lives to the disaster on Sunday.
Fintiri who visited the scenes of the flood, shortly after arriving in the state, expressed shock over the level of destruction.
The flood occurred on Sunday following a torrential downpour that began around 1a.m., leading to the tragic loss of 23 lives and the destruction of properties worth millions of naira.
Addressing victims at their temporary camp at Aliyu Mustafa College, Yola, Governor Fintiri announced that the state government will establish a technical committee to assess the extent of the damage.
Describing the situation as tragic and devastating, the Governor sympathised with families who lost their loved ones and property, assuring them that the government would support efforts to rebuild and relocate their homes.
“We will constitute a technical committee to carry out a thorough assessment in collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). From there, we will take the necessary steps,” he stated.
Fintiri also condemned individuals who, without a proper understanding of the situation, spread misinformation for political or selfish reasons.
According to him, the primary causes of the flooding were the heavy rainfall, blocked water channels and stormwater drainage systems, which prevented the runoff from flowing into the river.
The Governor was accompanied on the inspection tour by his deputy, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Bathiya Wesley; Secretary to the State Government, Awwal Tukur; and other top government officials.
The flood worst-hit areas include Shagari, Yolde-pate and Tashan Sani areas of the state.