Houses, farmlands submerged as flood wreaks havoc in Niger, Plateau communities

Heavy rainfall and windstorm have reportedly wreaked havoc across parts of Niger and Plateau states.

The incident, which occurred on Sunday, was said to have destroyed homes, farmlands, schools, and places of worship.

According to Punch, the floods submerged farmlands across communities in Kafin Koro, Paikoro LGA, and at least 18 communities in Lapai LGA of Niger state.

The affected areas include Dere, Eshi, Apataku, Tsakanabi, Kuchi Kakanda, Arah, Achiba, Rebba, Ebwa, Pele, Edda, Rigido, Gbami, Yawa, Baka, and Muye.

In Plateau state, the rainstorm was reported to have ravaged the Shimankar district in Shendam LGA, destroying no fewer than 50 houses, including two primary schools and a worship centre in the Menkaat community.

When contacted, Ibrahim Hussaini, acting director-general of Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), told TheCable that he was yet to be briefed about the incident.

The  Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had consistently issued seasonal flood warning of imminent risks across several states.

Niger and Plateau are among the listed high-risk areas due to their topography and proximity to major rivers like the Niger and Kaduna Rivers.

In its 2025 annual flood outlook, NIHSA predicted that over 30 states in Nigeria — including Niger and Plateau — would experience varying degrees of flooding, affecting over 170 LGAs.

The agency specifically urged state governments to clear blocked drainages, relocate communities in flood-prone zones, and activate emergency response plans ahead of the peak rains.

In Niger state, the government had previously asked residents in riverine communities to move to higher ground, citing forecasts of heavy rains and possible river overflow.