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Tag: flood

  • Flood ravages 400 houses in Kano

    lood ravaged no fewer than 400 houses in Bar’kwari community in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano State on Sunday afternoon, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

    The spokesman for Kano State Fire Service, Saidu Mohammed, made this disclosure in an interview with NAN on Monday in Kano.

    He said the flood also affected primary schools, animals and foodstuffs, adding that firemen were, however, able to rescue the victims.

    “We received a distress call from Hajia Gambo Usman, who lives in the neighbourhood at about 3:22 p.m., reporting that there was flooding in their area.

    Read Also: Flood displaces over 200 households in Plateau

    “On receiving the information, we quickly sent our rescue team and a vehicle to the scene at about 3:38 p.m.,’’ he said.

    The official, who said that the flood washed away 400 houses, foodstuffs, animals and schools, added that firemen assisted them by creating way for the water to pass, so as not to affect other houses.

    Mohammed, however, urged the public to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse in order to stop blocking the waterways.

    He reminded the community of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s (NiMET) warning of downpour this year.

  • Flood wreaks havoc in Shogunle

    Some residents of Shogunle, Lagos yesterday counted their losses in a flood.

    According to them, the downpour between Friday and yesterday damaged their properties.

    The flood, they said, entered their homes and shops.

    Nwazue Uzodime of 10 Fabukade Street, said a customer called him that his shop was flooded around 7am.

    “I rushed out and all I could see was water everywhere. When I opened my shop, it was filled with water; the whole road was covered with flood which damaged the properties of the residents. The flood was heavy; it dragged a container shop used for lotto inside the canal,” he said, adding: “I am lucky because I don’t sell consumables. The people that were affected were my neighbours that sell consumables. It was only my generator, television and standing fan that was soaked but all my sellable goods were intact.”

    Another resident, who simply introduced himself as Adex, said: “This is what we experience whenever it rains heavily. The flood dragged cars, motorcycles and tricycles into the canal.”

    The community, he said, had been appealing to the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government and Lagos State government to come to their aid but to not avail.

    Chidi Judge said lack of good drainage was the cause of the incessant flood.

    “We have been experiencing this flood disaster for a long time. When rain falls at night, we will sleep with one eye closed and the other opened,” he said.

     

  • Flood submerges 64 communities in Kogi

    •5,000 homes hit in Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara
    •More states to experience flooding

    No fewer than 64 communities have been submerged by flood in the Kogi/Kotonkarfe Local Government Area of Kogi State.

    Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, James Ahmadu stated this yesterday when he visited an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Edeha.

    According to him, more than 150 households had been trapped by flood in the last three days. A man, popularly known as “Ibrahim Barrister” died while trying to move upland.

    He said: “We are here for on-the-spot assessment of the flood situation in Kotonkarfe. Everywhere is flooded and over 64 communities were submerged.

    “The state has set up five temporary camps for the victims, in collaboration with the local government, and that is why NEMA is here to assess the situation.

    “We thank God that NEMA is here and is cooperating with the state government to ensure that necessary arrangement is made.”

    Head of Operations at NEMA headquarters Bitrus Samuel, represented by Reubean Babatunde of the Abuja Operations Office, said NEMA was in Kogi to assess the extent of damage caused by the flooding.

    “We were told there are five IDPs Camps in Kotokarfe. We are in the first camp in Edeha to see the displaced persons and get their data, take it back to Abuja so that NEMA can assist them.

    “The local government official said about 30 communities were submerged on September 3, and another 34 on September 4, making 64 villages submerged as at now.

    “This is a natural disaster but NEMA would do its best to respond as fast quick to rescue those who are trapped.

    “We are doing on-the-spot assessments, but we are still appealing to people living in flood-prone areas to relocate to the upland,” Samuel said.

    The spokesman/Desk Officer on Ecology of Kotonkarfe council, Yakubu Mohammed, said residents started experiencing flooding a few days ago.

    He said: “We want NEMA to come to our aid. Many of our people are finding it difficult to move out of their communities because some are still trapped there.

    “We lost one person three days ago. Our farms and property are submerged; we want the Federal Government to come to our rescue. We need facilities in the camps.”

    He named some of the submerged communities as Akpaku, Akpo, Ajara, Banda, Kpakpasu, Ozale, Opkakere, Agbawu and Adabode, among others.

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said over 5,000 homes in 16 local government areas of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States have been affected by flood.

    The Coordinator in charge of Sokoto Operations’ Office, Sulaiman Muhammad, spoke yesterday in Gusau at the opening of a three-day in-house staff training.

    The theme of the training was: “Repositioning, Restructuring and Re-orientation of NEMA Staff and Operations”.

    Muhammad identified the affected councils as Sabon-Birni, Kebbe, Tangaza, Goronyo, Wamakko and Illela in Sokoto State; and Argungu, Maiyama, Birnin-Kebbi, Shanga, Bunza and Danko Wasagu in Kebbi State.

    Maru, Tsafe and some parts of Gusau Local Government Area were affected in Zamfara State.

    He said: “We have already conducted an assessment of over 5,000 houses that were affected by the disaster in these councils and we have forwarded the record to our headquarters in Abuja for relief assistance.”

    The coordinator urged the public to always adhere to signals, warnings and predictions on flood given by the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET).

    “NIMET issues annual rainfall predictions and give information on likely flood-prone areas every March. It also sensitises stakeholders, particularly the states and local governments.

    “We call on the public to comply with the information, warnings and signals to prevent flood disasters,” he added.

    Muhammad said the training was part of policies introduced by NEMA’s Director-General, Mustapha Yunusa-Maihaja, to restructure the agency.

    According to him, the training is to enlighten workers under the Sokoto Operations Office on accountability, finance, punctuality and record keeping.

    The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) yesterday issued another warning of likely floods in states close to Rivers Niger and Benue.

    The agency said in its latest flood alert that there had been a steady rise in the water level of both rivers. The alert was issued by NIHSA’s Director, Engineering Hydrology, Clement Nze, in Abuja yesterday.

    According to Nze, records from the agency’s measuring stations in Lokoja and Makurdi showed an increase in water level from both rivers.

    The statement reads: “The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) wishes to update the public, especially the riparian states and communities by the banks of Rivers Niger and Benue, and their floodplains, that there has been systematic daily rise in the water levels on both rivers.

    “Records from our measuring stations in Lokoja (River Niger) and Makurdi (River Benue) clearly show this. This situation calls for watchfulness on the part of the riparian states as there is still likelihood of flooding.

    “Shiroro Dam has already joined Kainji and Jebba Dams in spilling water. This has contributed to the steady rise in the water level. As at today (yesterday), our hydrological measuring station downstream the confluence in Lokoja recorded a stage height of 9.89m and a discharge value of 21,326 cubic metres/second as against lower values of 9.43m and 19,762 cubic metres/second recorded on the corresponding yesterday.”

    Nze said all indices available pointed to the likelihood of a repeat of the 2012 flooding, adding that more rains were expected in the north in the next three weeks according to the Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) of Nigerian Meteorological Agency.

    He urged states and local government to clear structures built within the floodplains, clear blocked drainages, culverts and other waterways.

  • Flood destroys farmlands, houses in Edo

    Twenty houses have been destroyed in six communities in Estako East local government by flood after days of heavy rain fall.

    Also, 20,000 hectares of farmlands were submerged by the flood.

    Communities affected by the flood are Ebelle, Okpekpe, Ukhomedokhai, Amugbe and Ekpeli.

    Read Also:INEC lost millions of naira to flood in Edo

    Witnesses said roads leading to the communities have been washed making access to the communities difficult.

    One of the farmers affected by the flooding, Mr. Tony Enike, a farmer, said his 10 hectares of farm were affected by the flood.

    “I am confused and do not know what to do as I speak with you. I just want help to come to us as fast as possible because, we are suffering,” he said.

    Chairman of the local council area, Mr. Aremiyau Aligamhe, who visited the affected communities called for help from relevant authorities.

    Mr. Aremiyau noted that there was little the local council could do to ameliorate the people’s suffering because of the level of destruction caused by the flood.

    He said the State Government has been informed about the development.

    “I share in your pains at this particular time of this natural disaster. The council has made representations to the State Government to see how respite could come to the affected people and communities,” he said.

    Special Adviser on Special Duties, Mr. Yakubu Gowon, said he has taken census of the destruction.

    “As I speak with you, the displaced have been sheltered while we await the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). If the case is beyond SEMA, then the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), will be invited,” he said.

    He urged people living in riverine communities that are prone to flooding to move upland and take refuge in safe havens that have been created in local government areas in the state.

    The governor’s aide warned that communities in Ikpoba-Okha, Ovia North -East, Esan South-East, Estako Central and Etsako East local councils have been identified as areas prone to flooding, and advised residents to “as a matter of urgency, move upland to avoid being overtaken by the menacing flood.”

  • Flood kills 14 in Niger

    No fewer than 14 persons have died due to flooding in 16 local government areas of Niger State.

    The Director Relief, Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Garba Salisu, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Minna.

    The local government areas affected by the flood, according to him, are: Mokwa, Lapai, Bosso, Suleja, Mariga, Bako, Shiroro, Wushishi, Gurara, Lavun, Agaye,Chachanga, Munya, Magama, Rafi and Gbako.

    He said the agency had engaged the services of no fewer than 200 local divers in affected communities for rescue operations.

    He said that the local divers would complement the efforts of agency rescue unit whenever the need arose.

    Salisu also appealed to residents of the state to desist from building on waterways and to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse to reduce the effect of flooding in the state.

    He also urged communities experiencing gully erosion to relocate whenever the threat of flood became high.

    “My major fear is that, most rains are usually at night when the people are sleeping, but the only way is to create environment for smooth flow of water,’’ he said.

    The director also called on communities prone to flooding to vacate the area temporarily to avoid disaster.

    Salisu further disclosed the state has spent about N 674 million on buying assorted relief materials and cash assistance for those affected by the disaster.

    He said N210 million was spent on the procurement of assorted building materials and cash assistance to residents in 16 local government areas affected by the flood.

  • INEC lost millions of naira to flood in Edo

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has lost property worth millions of naira to flood in Edo State.

    Heavy downpour of rain on Friday morning chased its workers out of their offices at the State headquarters located at Aduwawa in Ikpoba-Okha local government.

    Activities have been paralyzed at the Edo INEC headquarters since August 24 when the building was submerged in flood.

    Adjoining streets including the road leading to the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal were submerged in flood.

    Staff of INEC could not go into their offices on Wednesday following heavy rain that lasted four hours.

    They had gone into their offices after cleaning it up when the rain started this morning.

    A perimeter fence at the INEC’s building was pulled down by the flood.

    When our reporter visited INEC, the workers were seen wading through flooded waters to get out of their offices.

    Edo Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Emmanuel Alex-Hart, said he has gone to Abuja to report about the damage caused by the flood.

    INEC

    Emmanuel said he was yet to quantify what was lost to the flood.

    The Edo REC said he was informed about the flooding by the Administrative Secretary of INEC.

    According to him, “I came to Abuja to discuss the issue of the flooding with the authorities.

    “My administrative secretary called me to inform me about the current situation in Edo. They were in the office and had to wade through the flood water.

    “The flooding has paralyzed activities at the INEC headquarters in Edo. Where the office is situated is a valley and when it rains, you have surface run-off of water from all the areas to that place.

    “We at INEC are at the receiving end.”

  • Flood kills three in Nasarawa village

    Three persons have died in Mararaba, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State following Wednesday rainfall.

    Houses and property estimated at several millions of naira were also destroyed. Residents, motorcyclists and commuters have called on Governor Tanko Al-Makura to begin repair work on rural roads and collapsed bridges to alleviate their suffering.

    They lamented the deaths, saying: “The repair of the roads, collapsed bridges and culverts would avert tragedy and assist in transporting farm produce to the market.”

    Chairman of the Calvary Road Residents Development Association, Kabayi, Leonard Ogu, said the bad roads and other amenities have continued to affect them though they have been rebuilding repairs and others through communal efforts.

  • Flood hits Eight LGAs in Kano

    Kano State Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation Agency (SERERA) says it has dispatched personnel to eight local government areas of the state recently affected by flood to assessing the damage caused by the disaster in the areas.

    The Executive Secretary of the agency, Alhaji Ali Bashir, disclosed this in an interview with the with our eporter in Kano on Thursday.

    Read Also:Flood kills 8000 birds in Edo, submerge houses

    He said the team had visited seven out of the eight local government areas concerned to compile report on the situation.

    Bashir listed the local government areas as: Rimin Gado, Tofa, Dawakin Tofa, Gwarzo, Danbatta, Kabo, Gezawa and Gabasawa.

    “The team has so far visited and assessed the situation in Rimin Gado, Danbatta, Gezawa, Gwarzo, Tofa, Dawakin Tofa and Kabo local government areas.

    “As I am talking to you now, we are in Gabasawa Local Government Area, assessing the damage caused by the flooding in the area,” he said.

    Bashir, who declined to state the number of people affected by the disaster, said after the assessment, the agency, would make a comprehensive report for onward submission to the state government.

    “We cannot give you the exact number of persons or houses affected until after we finish the assignment.”

    According to him, the agency is still receiving reports of the disaster from other areas prone to flood.

    No fewer than three people were reported to have died and several houses destroyed in Kiru Local Government Area of the state, following a heavy rainfall on Monday.

    NAN

     

  • Flood sacks Ondo community

    Residents of Ikare, headquarters of Akoko North East local government of Ondo State, yesterday urged the federal and state government to declare the community an ecological disaster area.

    The community witnessed a four-day torrential rainfall, which flooded most parts of the ancient town.

    Mostly affected areas are Hospital junction, First Bank area and Jubilee Market. Okoja-Iku-Awara Dam Road was washed off, thereby making it impossible for vehicles to ply the area.

    As a temporary measure to douse the consequence of an impending disaster which may lead to loss of lives and properties, the caretaker chairman for the local government, Rafiu Eniayewu, mobilised local government workers, market women, members of NURTW and community leaders to clear debris deposited on the gutters to give way for easy passage of water.

    The Director of Environmental Services, Mrs. Yemisi Adeniyi, cautioned residents against indiscriminate dumping of refuse on water passage, particularly during rainy season.

    The Are Iyalaje of Ikareland, Chief Risikat Mohammed, who mobilised Ikare market women for a clean-up exercise, noted that the topography of Ikare Akoko called for both Ondo and the federal governments to come to their aid in area of channelisation now that the population of the town was growing daily.

     

  • Flood ravages three Kaduna LGAs

    Houses in three Local Government Areas of Kaduna State were on Friday ravaged by flood after a heavy downpour.

    Mr Ben Kure, the Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency, said during an assessment of the affected areas that no life was lost to the flood.

    He attributed the flooding to blocked drainages with refuse and construction of structures along water channels.
    According to him, the agency has being mandated to visit areas affected to ascertain the level of damage.

    He listed the affected areas as Abubakar Kigo road in Kaduna North; Barnawa in Kaduna South; Karatudu, Narayi and Sabon Tasha in Chikun Local Government Areas, among others.

    He said that no fewer than 30 persons were displaced by the flood at Romi and are now taking shelter at the community primary school.

    “We will ensure that the IDPs are taken care of in collaboration with other stakeholders for their wellbeing,” he said.
    Kure therefore called on residents to be more vigilant as the raining season was not yet over.

    The flooding occurred after a downpour on Thursday evening which lasted till Friday morning.

    Read Also: Kaduna 2019: What is Sani-Sidi up to?

    The incident came days after NEMA and the Kaduna State Environmental Protection Authority (KEPA) had issued an alert that some local government areas in the state were likely to experience flash flooding.

    KEPA had warned residents on Tuesday of the affected areas to be on the alert and vacate to safer places.
    NAN also reports that the official number of houses affected by the flood were to be announced.