Seven people have been declared missing after heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in Niger State.
The downpour, which lasted for almost 10 hours, led to the flooding of communities in Mashegu and Magama Local Government Areas.
Besides those missing, at least 89 houses were submerged, and hectares of farmlands were washed away by the floodwaters.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency confirmed the incident, stating that local divers are still carrying out rescue operations in the affected areas. “The rainfall was severe and lasted for about 10 hours on Friday, and search and rescue operations are still on in the affected communities,” NSEMA said in a statement.
The communities hit by the flood include the environs of Sabon Pegi in Mashegu Local Government and Nassarawa community of Magama Local Government. NSEMA has urged residents living near riverbanks to move to higher ground as more rainfall is expected, which could lead to additional flooding.
This warning comes after the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) listed Niger State as one of the areas likely to experience flooding this year. NEMA had identified 17 out of the 25 local government areas in the state as at risk of flooding.
NSEMA continues to monitor the situation closely and has renewed its appeal to residents in vulnerable areas to take precautions and move to safer locations to avoid further loss of life and property.
