8 states on red alert as flood kills 15, displaces over 16,000 Nigerians in one week

 

No fewer than 15 persons have reportedly lost their lives due to the widespread flooding experienced across the country within the last seven days.

Several properties, including houses, cars and other valuables were destroyed by the disturbing disaster.

Lagostrend recalls that on June 24, the popular Trademore Estate, Abuja, was submerged following a sustained torrential rainfall that led to the death of two residents.

Apart from many houses almost completely destroyed, the flood which overflowed the estate canal, also swept away several cars.

In Yobe State alone, about 30 communities were destroyed on July 1st when heavy downpour was experienced in the area, leading to the death of about nine persons.

The State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, while confirming the ugly incident, revealed that over 10,845 individuals across 12 LGAs of Yunusari, Nguru, Nangere, Gujba, Damaturu, Fika

Bade, Bursari, Yusufari, Geidam, Machina and Karasuwa were affected by the floodings.

On Wednesday, movements were restricted while economic activities were crippled in Lagos State due to the persistent rainfall that caused unexpected flooding in many parts of the state.

It was more worrisome in some residential areas in Ibeju-Lekki and other strategic locations where thousands of residents were unfortunately displaced.

Lagostrend gathered that some of the worst affected areas included Epe, Eredo, Bogije,

Labora, Abijon, Sangotedo, Awoyaya and Ibeju-Lekki.

A primary six pupil was reportedly swept away by the flood in the Ikosi-Ketu area of Lagos.

Also, seven occupants, including a one-year-old baby girl, were rescued alive from a collapsed two-storey building at the Mushin area of the state, following the heavy downpour.

Similarly, the Lagos State Police Command on Thursday confirmed that a yet-to-be-identified 61-year-old man lost his life after being electrocuted during the flood incident.

Nigerians knock federal and state governments over failure to be proactive

The recurring cases of flooding in the country have raised concerns among stakeholders who lamented that the Federal and the state governments failed to be proactive in tackling the menace.

Lagostrend recalls that in 2022, over 662 Nigerians lost their lives to flood across the country.

According to the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, 662 people were killed, while 2,430,445 others were displaced.

About 3,174 people also suffered various degrees of injuries during the flood disaster.

In 2023, the National Emergency Management Agency said over 45 Nigerians died, while 171,545 persons were displaced as a result of widespread flooding experienced across the country