The Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency has disclosed that atleast 361,000 persons have been displaced by flooding across the state.
This was stated on Thursday by the Executive Secretary, NASEMA, Zachary Allumaga while addressing newsmen in Lafia.
Allumaga stated that there was possibility that the flood could displace one million people in the state before the end of the rainy season.
Allumaga said the state emergency agency had swung into action by dispatching search and rescue team and its officials to the affected local government areas and communities for an on-the-spot assessment.
He explained that Nasarawa state was among the states that the Nigerian Metrological Agency predicted this year particularly in the month of September and October to experience serious flood.
He said, “The agency with the authority of the governor went round and began sensitising people at the riverine areas in the flood prone LGAs, Nasarawa, Toto, Doma, Awe, and the flood flash point LGAs, Lafia, Obi, Karu and Akwanga.
“Five speed boats and live jackets were also given to five LGAs along the coast of River Benue, unfortunately, flood has started ravaging places in the following LGAs; Lafia, Obi, Nasarawa, Toto, Awe, Doma, Karu got its share as one dead recorded.
“About 135, 000 people were displaced in Umaisha, Toto LGA, 226,000 displaced in Nasarawa. Five communities in Doma and two communities in Obi LGA were submerged, as I talk to you our men are in the river to take assessment, search and rescue.”
According to Allumaga, effort had been put in place to assist the displaced persons with the relief materials to cushion the effect of hardship they are currently facing as a result of the flood.
He, however, appealed to the people that live along riverine areas to move to high ground to avoid any form of casualties.