Houses, Businesses Submerged As Flood Wreaks Havoc On Lafia

Flash floods yesterday swept through parts of Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, submerging houses and business premises.

The areas most affected were Unguwar Nungu, Millionaires’ Quarters and Bukan Sidi, forcing many residents to evacuate.

LEADERSHIP Friday reports that the incident occurred during a downpour that began at about 4:00 am and lasted till 6.am.

One of the victims was the state correspondent of the New Telegraph Newspaper, Mr Cheke Emmanuel, whose family had to take temporary shelter in a shop.

He said he was in the apartment with his family when, following the dawn rain, they noticed a heavy volume of water rushing in.

“Before we knew what was happening, our belongings were floating in the water,” he said.
The Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation, (GIFSEP) team, which was in the state to present the Nasarawa State Integrated Waste Management Policy to the government, expressed concern over the development.

Its executive director, Dr Michael Terungwa David, blamed the crisis on global warming and called on the government to sign the Nasarawa State Climate Change Policy Bill into law.
David said the flooding witnessed in Lafia yesterday was a stark reminder that climate change is no longer a distant threat.

The commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Dr Margaret Elayo, who visited some of the affected areas, blamed depleted underground water sources, obstructed water channels due to refuse dumping, and poor urban drainage systems for the floods.

She cautioned residents against building on water channels and urged households in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer locations temporarily.

The commissioner also directed the temporary closure of the popular Sandaji Hotel for non-compliance with environmental standards.