By Aisha Muhammad Magaji
Severe flooding has submerged five communities in Kogi State, following heavy rainfall and the release of water from upstream dams. The affected areas include Ota, Ofogbo, Itima, Owara in Ibaji Local Government Area, and parts of Kogi Local Government Area.
The Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (KOSEMA) confirmed that approximately 258 communities across eight local government areas are identified as flood-prone. In response, the state government has established 42 internally displaced persons (IDP) camps to accommodate residents displaced by the rising waters.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has also issued warnings about increasing water levels in the Niger and Benue Rivers, urging people in flood-prone areas to move to higher ground immediately. Officials emphasized that the situation remains critical and that continued rainfall could worsen the flooding.
State authorities are coordinating with federal agencies to provide relief materials, including food, clean water, and medical assistance, to affected residents. KOSEMA has advised communities to monitor official announcements and follow evacuation orders to ensure safety.
Residents affected by the floods are being accommodated in temporary shelters while efforts continue to mitigate the impact of the disaster. Authorities also appealed to the public to assist in identifying vulnerable individuals, particularly children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, for urgent evacuation.
The Kogi State government continues to assess the scale of the damage and is working closely with NEMA and other emergency response teams to prevent further displacement and loss of property.
