1 month ago
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No fewer than 80 houses have been destroyed and several residents displaced following a heavy rainfall in Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The rains which started on Friday lasted till the early hours of Sunday, causing flood in several communities particularly in Sabo Gari where many households were rendered homeless.
A resident of Angwan Bwarat in Sabon Gida community, Mr Nandul Solomon, confirmed the incident to The PUNCH in Jos on Sunday.
Solomon said that the incident had thrown the people of the area into utter confusion and panic as most of the affected persons were now stranded and searching for places to take refuge.
Solomon said: “The flood didn’t claim lives, but it was huge. Right now, over 80 households have had their houses flooded while many others have been rendered homeless.
“The displaced persons are currently searching where to stay while others are staying with neighbours or friends and relatives.”
In the same vein, a community leader in Sabo Gari, Mr Yintim Nimilam lamented the plight of the people while calling on the government and other public-spirited individuals to come to their aid.
Yintim said: “We appeal to the government and relevant authorities to come to our rescue. The incident is rather unfortunate.
“As it is, several persons are currently displaced and staying with relatives and many others don’t know what to do with the situation that has befallen them.”
Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, Sunday Abdu could not be reached as calls put across to his mobile phone indicated that it was switched off.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government has advised people living around riverbanks in various areas of the state to relocate to higher ground following persistent rainfall in the state, recently.
The state through its Commissioner for Environment, Nafisat Buge gave the warning in a statement made available to the PUNCH.
Kwara has been experiencing persistent rainfall between Wednesday and Sunday leading to reports of flooding in areas around Asa river, Unity road, Taiwo Isale and Isale Koko in Ilorin South and Ilorin East areas of the state respectively.
The commissioner said: “The government has called for calm among residents of the state on the trend currently being experienced in the volume, duration and pattern of rainfall which has led to massive flooding in some parts of the state. It is a temporary situation, that will go, with time.”
The commissioner described the situation as a global phenomenon attributable to climate change as well as human activities.
She listed efforts of government to stem to tide to include continuous dredging of Asa River, construction of embankment, desilting of drainages across the state, provision of additional waste bins, expansion of the dump site for proper waste disposal, encouragement of wastes recycling, irrigation system for farmers, regular advocacy and sensitization on environmental issues via the media, interfaces with relevant stakeholders and enforcements whenever necessary.
She admonished residents of the state to adopt measures to include relocation to higher grounds, shunning travelling when it is raining, and following evacuation instructions by relevant government agencies.
She also enjoined residents to obtain necessary approvals from relevant government agencies before embarking on buildings of any kind as well as desist from building close to or on the waterways.
“Heed flood warnings by stopping the dumping of refuse along water courses; desilt surrounding drainages; stop open burning, plant trees, and promptly alert the Ministry of Environment on issues around you as Government is doing all that is possible within the state resources, to encourage sustainable living and provide relief for Kwarans,” she added.
