From Godwin Agia, in Jalingo
A devastating flood has submerged seven communities in Lau Local Government Area (LGA) of Taraba State, following a torrential downpour that caused the River Benue to overflow its banks.
The incident, which occurred early on Thursday morning, has left hundreds of residents displaced and caused significant damage to properties and farmlands.
Thursday’s flooding comes barely a week after farmlands were submerged in parts of Gassol and Karim-Lamido LGAs. All the affected areas are located close to the River Benue.
Our correspondent gathered that several farmlands and residential buildings were inundated, displacing hundreds of residents.
Peter Julius, Taraba State Commissioner for Urban and Rural Development, who is a native of one of the affected communities, described the flooding as unprecedented.
According to him, property worth millions of naira were destroyed while hundreds of livestock were swept away.
Julius said emergency efforts are underway to evacuate women and children from submerged homes.
Yohana Kwana, a community leader in Kunini, expressed shock over the extent of the destruction in his community.
It was gathered that the Taraba State Ministry of Environment had earlier issued warnings to riverine residents to relocate to safer areas due to anticipated flooding.
However, many residents reportedly remained until the water levels began to rise.
Reports from riverine villages in Karim-Lamido, Gassol, Lau, and Ibi LGAs indicated that the River Benue is overflowing its banks, raising fresh concerns for nearby communities.
