A torrential downpour has triggered fresh flooding in Taraba State, submerging more communities along the River Benue.
The latest incident, which occurred early Thursday morning, affected seven communities in the Lau Local Government Area (LGA), with Kunini the worst hit.
Thursday’s flooding comes barely a week after farmlands were submerged in parts of Gassol and Karim-Lamido LGAs. All the affected areas are located close to the River Benue.
It was reported that several farmlands and residential buildings were inundated, displacing hundreds of residents.
Peter Julius, Taraba State Commissioner for Urban and Rural Development, a native of one affected community, described the flooding as unprecedented.
According to him, properties worth millions of naira were destroyed while hundreds of livestock were swept away.
Julius said emergency efforts are underway to evacuate women and children from submerged homes.
Yohana Kwana, a community leader in Kunini, expressed shock over the extent of the destruction in his community.
It was gathered that the Taraba State Ministry of Environment had earlier issued warnings to riverine residents to relocate to safer areas due to anticipated flooding.
However, many residents reportedly remained until the water levels began to rise.
Reports from riverine villages in Karim-Lamido, Gassol, Lau, and Ibi LGAs indicated that the River Benue is overflowing its banks, raising fresh concerns for nearby communities.
