Kiri Dam : 7 communities submerged in Adamawa by flood

Tom Garba

Seven communities were on Sunday flooded in Demsa and Numan local government areas of Adamawa, following heavy flow of water from Kiri dam in the state.

Kiri dam is in Guyuk Local Government Area. The dam, from the Gongola River, is about 30 kilometres length and 15 kilometres wide.

Alhaji Haruna Furo, the Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), made this known in an interview with our correspondent in Yola.

Furo said that the most affected areas were Bilachi, Bali, Mbongado, Dwam Sabo and Kabawa in Demsa area while Imburu, Hayin Gada and Gbalang were affected in Numan Local Government Area.

“The state emergency team together with top state government officials had visited some affected communities.

“And after cross-examination, we are going to resettle them in secured and conducive rescue camps,’’ Furo said.

He said that the state government had started making contact with various relief organisations for immediate response and rescue mission.

Furo also confirmed that no life was lost so far in the incident but that thousands of people had been rendered homeless.

Mr. Lumsun Dili, member representing Demsa Constituency in Adamawa State Assembly, who was among the officials that visited the affected areas, said that over 12,000 people were affected in Demsa area.

Dili told our reporter that thousands of farmland, houses and domestic animals were submerged and lost in the flood.

“My fear is that there is the possibility of Cholera outbreak in the affected communities.

“Infact, we have hired about three huge engine boats to start evacuating the victims, ” Dili said.

According to him, about additional 15 villages may be affected if necessary measures are not put in place to prevent flooding in the area.

He, however, expressed concern that, as a matter of urgency, government should respond to the needs of the victims to avoid the outbreak of sanitation-related diseases.