Seven communities in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State have been submerged following a heavy downpour on Thursday, displacing several residents and destroying farmlands.
The incident occurred barely a week after floods ravaged farmlands in Gassol and Karim-Lamido Local Government Areas, raising growing concerns over persistent flooding along the riverine areas.
Many residents have been forced to flee to safer grounds as the water level continues to rise.
Peter Julius, the state Commissioner for Urban and Rural Development and an indigene of one of the affected communities, described the disaster as unprecedented.
He warned that unless urgent measures are taken, more communities in Lau, Ibi, Karim-Lamido, and Gassol Local Government Areas could be at risk.
“The River Benue has started overflowing its banks, and this has raised serious concerns. What we are witnessing is far beyond the normal flooding we used to experience,” Julius said.
Authorities are yet to provide official figures on the level of damage recorded.
