TSEMA says floods and windstorms damaged seven Taraba local government areas
Heavy rainfall, flooding, and severe windstorms have damaged residential buildings, farmlands, and vital infrastructure across seven local government areas in Taraba State, leaving numerous residents facing the loss of their homes and livelihoods.
Disaster Impacts Across Seven Taraba Local Government Areas
Prolonged heavy precipitation triggered widespread destruction in Donga, Gassol, Bali, Ussa, Kurmi, Karim Lamido, and Sardauna local government areas. In Gassol, flooding from major rivers destroyed buildings and submerged large tracts of agricultural land. Bali recorded extensive structural damage to municipal infrastructure and homes, while Fikyu Ward in Ussa suffered heavy damage to residential properties alongside substantial agricultural losses.
Kurmi Local Government Area faced a compounding series of disasters, with houses destroyed by windstorms, floods, and fire incidents. Karim Lamido also sustained architectural damage to multiple buildings. In Donga, the Akate and Gyeta Aure wards reported heavy losses impacting homes, farmlands, and local infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Kakara community in Sardauna Local Government Area experienced severe inundation, leaving houses and farmlands completely submerged and displacing local residents.
Taraba State Emergency Management Agency Response and Relief Operations
Dr. Echuseh Audu, Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (TSEMA), disclosed the scale of the damage while providing updates on emergency response efforts. Audu urged residents living in flood-prone, low-lying, and riverside communities to relocate immediately to safer, higher ground and designated temporary camps to minimize casualties and property damage.
The agency acknowledged the active support of the Taraba State Government under Governor Agbu Kefas in delivering humanitarian assistance to disaster victims. In a parallel operation, TSEMA distributed food and non-food items to internally displaced persons who fled communal violence in neighboring Adamawa State. These displaced populations, originating from Kwa and Pirre communities, sought refuge in Bwei Baba, Makko, and Donadda communities within Lau Local Government Area following a prolonged crisis between the Kpasham and Kwa communities.
Relief distributions managed by agency representative Chindo Elisha included rice, maize, garri, spaghetti, sugar, salt, vegetable oil, tomato paste, mats, and wrappers. Beneficiaries such as Thankgod Haji and Sarah Alpha expressed public appreciation to the state governor and TSEMA for the timely provision of shelter, food, and essential supplies.