Floods Ravage Farmlands, Kill One in Nasarawa

Torrential floods have devastated three local government areas (LGAs) in Nasarawa State, leaving one person dead, hundreds of farmlands destroyed, and families displaced.

The floods, which struck Doma, Kokona, and Nasarawa LGAs, submerged farmlands, washed away harvests, and forced several households to relocate.

At a press conference in Lafia on Saturday, Benjamin Akwash, Director General of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA), confirmed the fatalities and widespread damage after a field assessment of the affected communities.

According to Akwash:

• Over 300 farmlands were destroyed, worsening financial hardship for farmers.

• The losses could trigger food shortages in the state.

• Many residents in high-risk flood zones resist relocation, despite repeated safety campaigns.

“We have consistently warned and educated communities living along floodplains, but many still choose to remain in danger zones. This makes disasters like this difficult to mitigate,” he said.

NASEMA emphasized it remains in close contact with local leaders and stakeholders to:

• Strengthen early-warning systems

• Improve compliance with weather forecasts and advisories

• Promote community relocation from high-risk areas

Flooding continues to pose a major challenge in Nasarawa State, threatening food security, livelihoods, and safety. With climate change intensifying rainfall patterns, the risks to vulnerable communities are only expected to grow.