…2 communities affected, 10 missing – NSEMA
From Samson Alfa, Minna
No fewer than 21 persons have died in a flood disaster that ravaged two communities in Niger State, yesterday.
Director-General, Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, Abdullahi Arah, who confirmed the incident in a statement said affected communities are Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa in Mokwa town of Mokwa Local Government Area, during an early morning heavy downpour that lasted several hours.
Arah, also said that the s
flood waters submerged and washed away over 50 houses and their occupants.
He said that “21 corpses have so far been recovered of those who sadly lost their lives in the incident while over 10 persons are still missing as search and rescue operation is still ongoing”.
According to him, three persons have been rescued, including a woman and her two children. They are receiving treatment for wounds and shock at the Mokwa General Hospital.
“NSEMA is in receipt of report of a deadly flood disaster that ravaged two communities”, he said.
In response to the disaster, he said the agency in collaboration with Mokwa LG Authority, local divers and very brave volunteers, are currently conducting search and rescue operation to rescue survivors and recover bodies.
Meanwhile, National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission, N-HYPPADEC, has expressed shock over yesterday’s flood disaster in the two communities.
NHYPPADEC in a statement by Head, Press and Public Affairs, Nura Wakili, said preliminary reports indicate that the flood swept away hundreds of properties and left several persons, including children, unaccounted for.
“The incident has left the entire community devastated and in distress. As we assess the situation and prepare for an appropriate response, we urge residents to remain vigilant and comply with safety directives from relevant emergency and disaster management agencies to prevent further loss”, the statement read.
Besides, NHYPPADEC appealed to relevant stakeholders to support the flood ravaged communities with a view to ameliorating their sufferings in the wake of the disaster.
