SEVERE flood has hit homes and business outlets in Bachure New Extension, a residential community in Jimeta, Yola North Local Area of Adamawa State.
A downpour on Monday morning had caused drainages to overflow into the streets and across homes, damaging household effects and forcing some residents out of their lodgings.
The rain fell across Jimeta metropolis, but while the rest of the metropolis evidently coped with no report of flood, Bachure had sad story to tell.
The floods prompted complaints by some residents who blamed the situation on the drainage system in the town. A resident, Ephraim Timothy, spoke of an inadequate drainage system and poor maintenance of the existing one.
“This drainage was meant to solve our problems, but it’s now the main reason our community is under water,” Timothy said of largely waste-blocked drains that crisscross the town .
Adamawa floods happened as the Niger State Governor, Muhammad Umaru Bago, announced a donation of N1 billion to victims of recent flood in the Mokwa Local Council of the state.
Bago made the donation while assessing houses destroyed by the flood. He had emphasised the need for the people to steer clear of waterways to prevent loss of life and property.
The governor, while commiserating with the victims of the disaster, promised that all the cash and materials donated by the Federal Government, individuals, government agencies and donor agencies would be utilised for the purpose it was meant.
Bago restated the state government’s resolve to construct a permanent drainage system in Mokwa town and concrete bridges to curtail the recurrence of the disaster.
He lauded those who supported the victims, saying the state government would do everything possible to resettle persons affected by the flood directly or indirectly.
Meanwhile, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has said it has begun a sensitisation campaign to communities to prevent future occurrences and mitigate its impact on residents.
The Director General of NOA, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, disclosed this during a sympathy visit to the victims of the floods in Mokwa, Niger. “It is very important to prevent disasters when we listen and take precautions.
“We have mobilised our staff at the state and local government levels to work with other stakeholders.
“They are to ensure those who lost their lives are taken care of as well those who sustained injuries are also taken care of,” he said. Issa-Onilu said NOA was working with other agencies to fumigate affected areas and ensure safety in Mokwa town.