OVERVIEW OF FLOODING IN ADAMAWA STATE
On Saturday, 7 October 2023, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) issued an alert over the threat of rapid flooding along the River Niger and River Benue Basin, owing to the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroon, calling for the immediate activation of an emergency response plan in the following states: Adamawa, Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa.
In Adamawa State, water levels started rising on Thursday, October 5 October 2023, leading to severe flooding that caused significant infrastructure damage, including roads, shelter facilities, health facilities, IDP sites, schools, and other community facilities across 14 out of 21 LGAs in Adamawa State.
According to the latest Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA) report, the floods have caused a large-scale displacement of more than 8,504 households (51,043 individuals), the majority of whom are women, children, and the elderly, currently living in 11 temporary settlements across Yola South, Yola North, Lamude, Madagali, and Demsa LGAs. 33 casualties were reported.
The actual scale of the catastrophe is still unpredictable, as the situation is still closely being monitored. The flood exacerbated humanitarian needs, with individuals, mainly women and children, being exposed to undignified living conditions and sleeping in open or crowded spaces, exposing them to protection and health risks.