Again: Flood sacks Kogi communities as residents seek assistance
Scenes of flood in Kogi PHOTO: IBRAHIM OBANSA
Residents of Kogi, Lokoja, Ajaokuta, Ofu, Idah and Ibaji councils of Kogi State woke up yesterday morning to witness serious flooding, which submerged several houses while farmlands were washed away.
The incident was similarly to the occurrence in 2012, when Lokoja and adjoining Local Councils in Kogi State were submerged by flood.
A visit to parts of Lokoja, the state capital, showed that several houses have been submerged by the flood as people were seen moving their property to safer places.
It was also discovered that some major roads like the old market road and Ganaja-Ajaokuta road have been submerged by River Niger.
The roads served as links between the North, East and Southern part of the country.
Many passengers were stranded, while those who could not stay longer due to the flood had to take a canoe to cross to the other part of the road to take commercial motorcycles to the motor park to continue their journey.
At Adakolo Estate and Adankolo Extension, many houses were deserted by owners as they have moved to safer places.
Some churches were also submerged, but were seen holding their services despite the flood.
Some residents told The Guardian in Gadumo and Ganaja communities, that they don’t have any place to relocate as they still manage to sleep in the flooded house, while others said they have to relocate their families back to the village until the situation improves.
Narrating their experiences, an affected resident, Sule Muhammed said they noticed a rise in the volume of water late Saturday, but woke up Sunday morning to the reality of the flood.
Muhammed, who lamented that there is nowhere to move to, said: “I’m stranded here as I speak with you. Nowhere to move. We are appealing to the government to come to our aid.
“On Saturday, we noticed that the water was rising. But this morning the water has taken over everywhere. We have been rendered homeless.”
MEANWHILE, Kogi State government, through its Emergency Management Agency (KSEMA), has asked residents in flood-prone areas to move to higher ground or designated areas for safety.
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