Several communities in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, have been hit by severe flooding following torrential rainfall that lasted from Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning, leaving residents stranded and forcing some families to evacuate their homes.
Key Highlights
- Heavy rainfall triggered flooding across several parts of Makurdi.
- Families in flood-prone communities were forced to leave their homes.
- Food items, household utensils and other valuables were submerged.
- Affected areas include Natar, Achusa, North Bank, Wurukum and parts of Gboko Road.
- Residents appealed to the Benue State Government for additional drainage channels.
- The state government said efforts were being made to address the situation.
The heavy downpour, accompanied by strong winds, began at about 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday and continued into Wednesday before subsiding around 8 a.m.
The Trumpet gathered that the flooding caused significant damage to homes and property, particularly in flood-prone areas of the state capital.
Several families reportedly lost food items, including bags of rice and garri, as well as household utensils and other belongings that were submerged by floodwater.
The prolonged rainfall also caused hardship for residents and commuters, with some roads and residential areas affected by rising water levels.
Commenting on the situation, Engr. Thomas Aule described the flooding as unfortunate but acknowledged efforts by the present administration to address the problem.
Aule noted that existing drainage systems were designed to facilitate the movement of stormwater but expressed concern that the volume of rainfall appeared to have overwhelmed the available channels.
“We are appealing to the state government to hasten action and provide additional water channels to cushion the effects on inhabitants,” he said.
During a visit to some of the worst-hit areas, The Trumpet correspondent observed flooding in Natar settlement, areas around Media Village in Achusa, North Bank, parts of Wurukum and along Gboko Road.
Mallam Musa, who spoke on behalf of some affected residents, described the situation as devastating and appealed to the government to intervene.
As of the time of filing this report, some affected residents were seen evacuating their belongings and seeking temporary shelter with relatives in safer locations.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Odo Ogwu, confirmed the flooding.
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Ogwu said the government was already taking steps to address the situation and assured residents that everything possible would be done to mitigate the impact of the flooding.
He sympathised with residents affected by the disaster and reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing the recurring flooding challenges in the state.
The latest incident comes amid recurring concerns over flooding in Makurdi and other parts of Benue State, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
