Flood Ravages Nasarawa Communities, Claims One Life, Destroys Over 300 Farmlands

Severe flooding has destroyed more than 300 farmlands and crops across three Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State, leaving one person dead.

The Director General of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA), Mr. Benjamin Akwash, disclosed this in Lafia after leading an assessment of the affected areas.

He explained that the agency has been sensitizing residents of flood-prone communities and engaging stakeholders on the importance of safety measures and adherence to weather forecasts issued by relevant authorities. However, he expressed worry that many residents living in high-risk zones have refused to relocate despite repeated warnings.

Mr. Akwash further revealed that the state government is developing a sustainable flood prevention strategy to address recurring disasters, instead of focusing solely on relief efforts after the damage has been done.

According to him, detailed assessments are ongoing in Nasarawa, Kokona, and Doma LGAs, where farmlands running into hundreds of hectares were submerged, resulting in huge losses and the death of one person.

He also announced that the state government has finalized plans to distribute food and non-food relief materials to victims of flooding and other disaster-affected communities.

The NASEMA boss appealed to residents in riverine areas, especially in the five most vulnerable LGAs of Doma, Nasarawa, Toto, Awe, and Kokona, to urgently move to safer locations in order to safeguard their lives and property.