Flood kill scores in Taraba

Taraba state has gotten its share of flood disaster this year.

Scores of people and domestic animals have reportedly feared killed in a fierce havoc wreaked by the flood.

The most affected local government councils are Karimlamido and Lau.

The flood was caused by heavy torrential downpour, even as the people are yet to witness the release of water from a Cameroon dam.

A House of Assembly member from Karimlamido, Edward Baraya, confirmed reports of the flood disaster and deaths, but was not certain about the casualty figure.

The council caretaker Chairman of Karimlamido Idi Danfulani also said many residents were reported killed in his council but he does not know the exact number of those killed.

In Lau, many buildings shook in their foundations while farm crops and some houses and vehicles were submerged.

Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku is said to have directed all chairmen of the affected councils to forward reports of flood disaster in their domains to the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Caretaker Chairman of Lau, Nelson Banker was seen submitting his Flood Report at the Bureau Friday.

Danfulani of Karimlamido told The Nation he would be touring his entire council today, to take detailed statistics of the lives lost and property destroyed by the flood.

Taraba is one of the states that witnessed devastating floods that wreaked havoc on people, houses, animals and farmlands in 2012.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had in a recent sensitisation workshop in Jalingo -the Taraba State capital, warned of a possible flood disaster. It identified some vulnerable communities that could experience flood disaster.

NEMA Head of Operation Appolos Jediel had identified Lau, Shomo, Garin-Dogo, Kunini, Donadda, Bwai, Ibi, Njibu, Donga, and Takum as vulnerable communities in Taraba Northern and Southern zones.

NEMA also warned of the possible release of water from the Lagdo dam from neighboring Cameroon.

With the rains in peak and water anticipated to be released from the Cameroon dam, residents of Taraba’s flood prone areas have been living in fears.

Local boats and canoes are being used to convey affected persons particularly children and old people to safer areas.