At least two children have been confirmed dead, and dozens of houses submerged following a devastating flood that swept through several communities in Adamawa State after hours of torrential rainfall.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, affected parts of Yola North and Yola South Local Government Areas, including Sabon Pegi, Yolde Pate, Modire, and areas around the Yola Bye Pass.
Eyewitnesses said the rain began around 3:00 a.m. and lasted for several hours, overwhelming the drainage systems and forcing many residents to flee their homes. Rescue workers and community volunteers later recovered the bodies of two children believed to have drowned in the rising waters.
“We were asleep when the water came rushing into the house. We barely managed to escape with the children. Sadly, two kids from the next compound couldn’t make it out,” said Aisha Mohammed, a resident of Yolde Pate.
The Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA) has confirmed the incident, adding that assessments are ongoing to determine the extent of damage.
In a separate incident earlier in the year, over 50 people were killed, 71 injured, and farmlands across 11 communities destroyed due to floods linked to the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
“The scale of devastation is alarming,” said Dr. Mohammed Suleiman, Executive Secretary of ADSEMA. “We are working with federal agencies to provide emergency relief to the displaced families and restore access to affected areas.”
Experts warn that more flooding may occur in the coming weeks as the rainy season intensifies, especially if water continues to be released from the Lagdo Dam without adequate warning or mitigation measures.
Residents have been urged to relocate from flood-prone zones and heed government advisories. Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations are calling for urgent support to provide shelter, food, and medical aid to the displaced.
