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Tag: Flood

  • Flood ravages parts of Lagos Amid Heavy Rainfall

    Flood ravages parts of Lagos Amid Heavy Rainfall

    Several vehicles were submerged underwater in parks at the popular Marina axis of Lagos Island on Friday as heavy rainfall persisted for hours.

    Videos shared widely on social media showed some persons struggling to get to their parked vehicles amid the heavy flooding.

    “I don’t know whether this car will ever be able to move again,” an unidentified person said in one of the videos as he inspected his flooded car. “Everywhere is flooded.

    Flooding is common in Lagos, a coastal city home to over 20 million people.

    Despite government efforts to construct drainages and advise against dumping refuse in them, flooding is almost certain during heavy rainfall.

    On Thursday, the state government said it was stepping up cleaning of canals – blocked by human refuse – in four local government areas.

    Lagos has about 176 primary and secondary water channels that require regular cleaning.

    On Friday, the flooding also affected traffic flow in many parts of the city as commuters groaned.

  • Flood washes cemetery, buildings in Yobe

    Flood washes cemetery, buildings in Yobe

     Flood triggered by days of incessant rains has washed away Low Cost Cemetery and destroyed buildings in Gashua Local Government Area of Yobe.

    Alhaji Kaku Bulama-Bukar, Gashua Local Government Council Community Development Officer, confirmed this in an interview with our correspondent in Gashua on Tuesday.

    He said the downpour, which began on July 9, had exposed some corpses in the cemetery.

    “Yes, we have experienced heavy rain accompanied by wild-wind in Gashua town since Friday. As we speak, many buildings are destroyed and our cemetery is submerged.

    “Some graves are even exposed and some people had to be evacuated from their houses to save their lives,” Bulama-Bukar said.

    The officer said the council was taking an inventory of the individuals and houses affected by the disaster.

    “As soon as we conclude assessing the damage and the people affected by it, we will present our report to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the council for action.

    “I can assure you that relief material and other forms of support will be provided to the affected persons,” he said.

  • A’Ibom issues flood alert to riverine communities

    A’Ibom issues flood alert to riverine communities

    Akwa Ibom state government has charged residents, especially those living in riverine communities to ensure the safety of their houses and property against flooding and windstorm as rains set in.

    Deputy Governor Mr Moses Ekpo made this known on Friday at the close of a week-long distribution of relief materials to victims of flood and fire disasters in the state.

    Ekpo said that advice has become imperative as this year’s early rains were marked by thunder storms with a great potential for heavy flooding and destruction, especially in vulnerable areas.

    The Deputy Governor who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in his office Mr Nkopuruk Ekaiko, said the distribution of the relief materials should not be seen as compensation for the destruction of the victims’ property but as a means of ameliorating the pains of the victims by the government.

    He noted that one of the cardinal principles of the Udom Emmanuel administration was to identify and show empathy to its indigenes, especially, in times of such disasters.

    Ekpo said that the state government was currently embarking on gigantic flood control projects spanning about four local government areas in the state through the collaboration of World Bank and NEWMAP.

    The deputy governor reasoned that when these projects are completed, most parts of the state would be spared the ravaging effects of flooding, and therefore urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the relief items.

    Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Luke Peter Udom, and Mrs Helen Nta, thanked the state government for identifying with their plight over the destruction of their property by fire and windstorm as well as the floods of last year.

    Items distributed to the beneficiaries during the exercise were; roofing sheets, roofing nails, mattresses, plastic buckets, mosquito nets, towels and detergents among others

  • Flood Destroys 900 Houses In Zamfara

    Flood Destroys 900 Houses In Zamfara

    By Ahmad Ibrahim, Gusau

    Over 900 houses were destroyed by flood disaster in Zamfara. This was disclosed by the special Adviser,  on humanitarian affairs, Disaster Management and social Development, Hajya Fa’ika M Ahmad while briefing Newsmen in Gusau the state capital.       
    Hajiya Fa’ika said that,  major areas affected by the flood disaster include Gummi and Gayari, adding that many farm lands were destroyed by the disaster in the area. Honourable Fa’ika explained that her office has distributed 6 trucks of building materials to the affected areas which include, cement, zinc and ceilings among others.     

    She noted that, distribution of building materials to the affected people was the effort Of her office to assist the affected people to reconstruct their houses. 

    Hajiya Fa’ika further said that, her office has distributed 10 trucks of food items to the affected victims to reduce their hardship. Fa’ika has empowered over 100 women in the state, adding that, her office has distributed tricycles and generators to the people Of the state for them to be self-reliant. 

    She also called on the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the building materials and the items given to them and not to sale them out.     
    Also commended the efforts of the state Governor, Muhammad Bello (Matawallen Maradun) for assisting people affected by the flood disaster.    She called on people of the state to support Government policies and programmes for it to succeed.   
    She appealed to the people to continue praying for peace and stability in the state, explaining that no society would develop without peace.

  • Aftermath Floods: Eastern Flanks – Ganaja–Lokoja Roads Remains Impassable In Kogi

    Aftermath Floods: Eastern Flanks – Ganaja–Lokoja Roads Remains Impassable In Kogi

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    As articulated vehicle drivers went berserk, destroying road divide, living Pedestrians Stranded
    Inspite of the gradual receding of the Rivers Niger, that left residents of Ganaja Villagers and commuters plying the Ajaokuta – Lokoja Highway helpless, there seem to be no end in sight to the sufferings.

    Our correspondent gathered that trapped vehicles in the receding waters Particularly trucks who were anxious to move on, have now gone berserk, destroying the road divide to pave way for their upward movement.

    This development According to our correspondent has left citizens wondering the position of the State Government in this direction, Particularly the Ministry of works which suppose to be in-charge of checking recklessness as to allow people destroying Government property unquestioned.

    It was reliably gathered by our Correspondent that the frustrated drivers hired the services of ad-hoc Hausa Men from Ganaja junction Lokoja over the weekend for the gradual destruction of the road divides,

    Unfortunately, the road divide which serve as only route for pedestrians was built with hard earned tax payers money, unfortunately has been destroyed with no presence of the Ministry of Works officials.

    All efforts to reach the Kogi state Commissioner of works, Engineer Abubakar Ohere, or other relevant officials of state ministry of works to comment on the incident, check the destruction of the State Government facilities failed as he could not be reached

    It would be recalled that the major roads leading to the state capital was cut off for months by the flood, but following the receding of the water, there seem to be no insight  by Government to alleviate the suffering of the road users.

    Presently the alternative route from the Eastern flank of Nigeria into Lokoja, the State Capital is a nightmare with commuters lamenting that, aside Commuunity and individual efforts, they were abandoned in their trying period.

    It was gathered that the deep gullies created by the flood on the main road cannot be tempted by the state ministry of works but could only be reclaimed by any standard construction company.

    As the time of filing this report, it was gathered that some trucks that attempted risking through the flood had their vehicles trapped.

    The hardship faced by motorists and users of the Ganaja Lokoja road who are currently going through hell can better be imagined as more difficulties await them as the gullies created on the affected portion of the roads is unimaginable.

    Some of the Motorists who spoke to our correspondent called on the State Government to quickly move to the delapidated potion of the Lokoja Ganaja road to relief the sufferings of motorists and other raod users.

  • Lagos reminds residents to be on high alert

    Lagos reminds residents to be on high alert

    Lagos State Government has reminded residents, especially those close to the banks of the Ogun River to be on the alert as more water will be released from Oyan Dam this month.

    According to a statement signed by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, 23 million cubic meters of water will be released during the month which is the peak.

    He explained that the release from the Oyan Dam which is the highest is as a result of the intensive rainfalls which will also climax in the current month.
    nigeria hydrological services agency | All News Pictures Videos – Opera NewsHe enjoined all residents of Agboyi -Ketu, Owode Onirin, Isheri, Ajegunle, Agiliti, Kara, Majidun and all areas bothering the rivers and the sea in Lagos to be very wary of the staggered release.

    He said the alert has become necessary because the projected heavy rainfall which resumed in September will continue with high intensity this month leading to staggered release of water from the dam.

    In his words: “For a coastal city like Lagos, let me remind everyone that once it rains consistently for a minimum of 8 hours, we are bound to have flash flood caused by increasing inability of effective discharge into the lagoon which is brought about by a rise of the ocean level.

    “This will automatically lock up all our drainages and until the water level goes down, the drainages would be unable to discharge”.

    “Flash floods is not peculiar to Lagos. It is the new wave in most coastal cities around the world including those who have adopted the best of technological advancements to curtail flooding”.

    He urged residents to adopt an attitudinal change of not dumping refuse in drainage channels and erecting structures on drainage alignments, vowing that culprits would be punished.

  • Flood Disrupts Water Supply In Kogi

    Flood Disrupts Water Supply In Kogi

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The General Manager, Kogi State Water Board, Engineer Muhammed Sagir Abdulsalam, over the weekend announced the suspension of water Supply to people in Lokoja the state capital and its environs due to flooding.

    This was made known in a statement signed the management and made available to Newsmen on Saturday in Lokoja.

    According to the statement, ” the facility of the water treatment plant has been affected and made the operation difficult by the Ravaging flood in Lokoja which compelled the management to suspend water supply to Lokoja, the state capital and it environs.

    While regretting the inconvenience the problem might have caused, the statement assured the general public that normal water supply would be restored as soon as Flooding reduce.

  • Flood Update: Nine Local Govt. Council Areas Submerge In Kogi

    Flood Update: Nine Local Govt. Council Areas Submerge In Kogi

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    No fewer than nine local government council areas in kogi state have been submerged by flood while over seventy percent of people in Koton Karfe, Ibaji, Lokoja and Bassa communities now take shelter by the road side and schools.

    The affected Local government areas sacked by flooding in Kogi according to our correspondent are Ibaji, Koton Karfe, Ajaokuta, Igalamela, Lokoja, Ofu, Bassa, Idah, and Omala respectively.

    Lamenting at the floor of the Kogi State House of Assembly on Wednesday, the lawmaker representing Kogi Koton – Karfe constituency, Hon. Abubakar Tanko Muhammed in a motion of urgent public importance said the effect of the flood was devastating and worrisome, stressing that most people in the Local government have lost their houses, farm lands and source of livelihood.

    ”Am on my knees, Mr Speaker, almost all my constituent have been taken over by flood and my people sacked from their homes. Things are becoming unbearable. The Federal and State Government needs to do something before the situations gets out of hand. Their lives are currently in danger” Muhammed pleaded.

    He called on the State Government and the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA) to come to the aid of the people affected by flood in the state adding that, things are becoming unbearable for the people.

    In their various contributions, the members representing Lokoja I constituency, Hon. Umar Isah Tenimu, Dekina/Biraidu, Hon. Idoko Moses Ododo, and Dekina/Okura, Enema Paul respectively called for synergy among the ministry of health, and rural development, stressing the need for immediate creation of IDP camps across affected Local government areas in the state.

    Meanwhile, assengers, Vehicles From Eastern Part of the Country are currently Stranded In Lokoja as flood takes over the only road leading in and out of Lokoja around the Ganaja axis of Lokoja

    According to our correspondent, holdups have extended to Salem University Lokoja due to the impassable road that has trapped trucks and several number of vehicles with commuters, seen in clusters lamenting on the ugly development as they cannot continue their journey.

    Our reporter gathered that the flood has taken over the road leading to Kabawa, along Post office, 500 units Housing estate of the town and Ganaja village roundabout down to extreme end of Ganaja.

    Houses, property and farmlands along river Niger banks in Lokoja have also been taken over by the flood thereby rendering thousands of people homeless in Kogi.

    Commuters stressed the need for the state government to construct the Ganaja bypass road through Otokiti to Army Barracks known as “Wada road” started by the immediate past administration to serve as an alternative road to help in difficult times like this.

    Residents and commuters therefore appealed to Governor Yahaya Bello not to play politics with matters of public importance as the bypass road means a lot to the residents of Lokoja, Kogi East and the Eastern part of the country.

    Some of those who spoke to our correspondent challenged Governor Yahaya Bello to emulate the leadership qualities of President Muhammadu Buhari who has painstakingly continued and completed most projects initiated and started by the former president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s led administration.

    Lokoja residents therefore called on the federal government to assist the flood victims in Kogi with relief materials and temporary shelter to alleviate their suffering.

  • Flood sweeps man away in Ondo

    Flood sweeps man away in Ondo

    A middle-aged man has been swept away by flood in Iwaro Oka community of Akoko South West Local Government area, Ondo State.

    The victim, a farmer identified as Akede, was swept away over the weekend. Sources said the farmer’s motorcycle was seen inside the river very close to a popular filling station, alerting people to the fact that the farmer was missing.

    Family members launched a search for him but efforts to find him proved abortive. His body was later recovered in a river very close to St Patrick’s College, Iwaro Oka.

    The deceased was described by his neighbours as cool-headed and an easy-going person, who cherished his family.

  • Ganaja Village, Eastern Flanks May Cut Off From Lokoja As Flood Ravages Kogi

    Ganaja Village, Eastern Flanks May Cut Off From Lokoja As Flood Ravages Kogi

    By  Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The people of Ganaja area and motorists plying in to Lokoja, Kogi State capital from the Eastern flank of the country would any moment from now be cut off by the Ravaging floods.

    People of Ganaja village started noticing since Tuesday this week that the banks of the River Niger has overflown its banks faster than expected.

    Transporters of perishable goods and animals that are plying this route are currently facing danger zone as the road is gradually becoming impassable due to the current rise of water level that is taking over the major roads in Lokoja.

    The hardship faced by motorists and users of the Ganaja Lokoja road who are currently going through hell can better be imagined as more difficulties await them in the coming days if the rising water level continues.

    Unfortunately, motorists from the Eastern flanks to Lokoja have no alternative route that could create room for diversion.

    As at the time of filling in this report, the experience can better be imagined as road users are experiencing serious hardship related to what happened in 2012 in Kogi when hundreds of Truck drivers spent some weeks on the queue in Lokoja.

    It would be recalled that during the 2012 flood, the immediate past Kogi state Governor, Capt. Idris Wada graded a bypass through Ganaja via 500 Units which alleviated the suffering of the masses.

    Since the 2012 disastrous flood in the state, the only sustainable bypass was not given the necessary maintenance by the  government.

    Even before the flood, People from Ganaja village and motorists were using one lane as a result of the bad condition of the second lane which led to protest by youths over frequent accident that resulted to  many loss of lives on the road.

    In Koto Karfe area of Kogi local government area of the state,  major rice farms have been submerged by the flood and is currently threatening to take over the only route to the Federal Capital territory, Abuja.