By Faridat Salifu
In the wake of a prolonged downpour that persisted through Sunday and Monday in communities including Gangere, Rikkos, Bauchi Road, and Eto-Baba within Jos North Local Government, a devastating flood has resulted in the loss of three lives.
Eugene Nyenlong, the Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), confirmed this tragic incident. Nyenlong stated that NEMA received a distress call reporting the fatalities attributed to the flood.
He further revealed that NEMA, in collaboration with other concerned stakeholders, is swiftly mobilizing to assess the situation on the ground.
Nyenlong remarked, “As I speak to you, we are moving to the scene with other stakeholders to have an on-the-spot assessment of the disaster, and also carry out advocacy visits.”
It is evident that these areas, particularly Gangere, Rikkos, Bauchi Road, and Eto-Baba, have been grappling with recurring flooding issues.
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Nyenlong urged the Plateau State Government to implement stringent measures to encourage residents to vacate flood-prone regions.
He suggested that if permanent relocation is not feasible, people could consider temporarily leaving during the rainy season and returning during the dry season.
Nyenlong also pointed out the vulnerability of these areas due to the presence of a waterway that exacerbates the flood risk.
Additionally, he noted the inadequate drainage systems in these communities, compounding the flood-related challenges.
Sunday Abdu, the Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Emergency Agency, affirmed that they are en route to the affected communities.
Abdu indicated that the agency will determine the necessary course of action following an on-site assessment.
This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for comprehensive flood preparedness and mitigation measures in vulnerable areas like these.
