Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA), says no fewer than 361,000 people have been displaced by flood following recent heavy rains in the state.
Mr Zachary Allumaga, the Executive Secretary, NASEMA, told newsmen on Thursday in Lafia that the flood affected 23 communities in seven local government areas of the state.
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He said that there is a high probability that more than one million people could be displaced by flood in the state before the end of the rainy season.
He said the agency had dispatched a search and rescue team and its officials to the affected areas and communities for immediate assessment.
Allumaga said that Nasarawa was among the states that the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMet) predicted to experience serious flooding in 2022, particularly in the month of September and October.
“Towards that effect, NASEMA, with the authority of the governor, started sensitising the people living in the flood-prone areas like Nasarawa, Toto, Doma, Awe, Lafia, Obi, Karu and Akwanga.
“Five speed boats and live jackets were given to five LGAs along the coast of River Benue, unfortunately, the flood has started ravaging in Lafia, Obi, Nasarawa, Toto, Awe, Doma and Karu with one death recorded,” he said.
According to Allumaga, efforts are being made to assist the displaced persons with some relief materials to cushion the hardship they are currently facing as a result of the flood.
“We are making purchases of food items and non-food items such as grains, rice, beans, oils, mattresses, mats, blankets, toiletries, buckets, cups, food, children’s clothes, mosquito nets among others for onward distribution to the affected persons,” Allumaga said.
He, however, appealed to the people living in the riverine areas to move to higher ground, adding that the rains would increase with the likelihood of more floods in the months of September and October. (NAN)
