Flooding triggered by heavy rainfall has destroyed homes and household valuables in parts of Nasarawa and Niger states, forcing several residents to flee to safety.
In Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, several communities were inundated following a downpour that began around 4am on Thursday and lasted until about 10am.
Unguwar Nungu, Millionaires Quarters and Bukan Sidi were among the worst-affected areas, as floodwater from blocked drainage channels entered residential buildings.
A resident of Unguwar Nungu, Cheke Emmanuel, said the flood pulled down fences and a building and damaged valuables in several homes.
“Water from the main gutter found its way into people’s compounds, pulling down some fences and a building. It also destroyed valuables in homes and created a lot of panic,” he said.
Emmanuel said residents were forced to move soaked belongings out of their homes, adding that no death was recorded.
He attributed the flooding to poor drainage and the deplorable condition of Ember A and Ember B streets, which lead to the annex of the Federal University Teaching Hospital.
He urged the government to rehabilitate the roads and construct adequate drainage channels to improve water flow and prevent further flooding.
The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Princess Margaret Elayo, who inspected the affected areas, warned residents against building on waterways.
She advised people living in flood-prone communities to temporarily relocate to safer areas.
Elayo attributed the flooding to blocked waterways caused by indiscriminate waste disposal, inadequate urban drainage and aggressive land reclamation, which she said had reduced ponds and open spaces that previously helped absorb excess water.
She also disclosed that the state government had ordered the temporary closure of Sandaji Hotel over alleged non-compliance with environmental standards.
The commissioner said the Nigerian Meteorological Agency had identified Lafia, Doma and other parts of the state as vulnerable to severe flooding.
She urged residents to improve their waste disposal practices and cooperate with government measures aimed at protecting lives and property.
The flooding occurred amid a NiMet warning of possible flash floods in 13 states between August 11 and 20, including Nasarawa, Niger, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kaduna, Adamawa, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Cross River and Akwa Ibom.
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