By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Jalingo
Several houses, schools, shops and markets were submerged in Jalingo, Taraba State, following heavy rainfall that lasted for several hours early Saturday.
The downpour, which began around 2:30 a.m. and continued until about 11:30 a.m., brought relief from weeks of intense heat but left widespread destruction in its wake.
Residents said Mile Six, Mafindi and Mayogwai areas were among the worst-hit communities, with floodwaters entering homes and displacing families.
Jalingo Main Market was also affected, as many shops were flooded, leaving traders counting losses.
A resident of Mile Six, Bulus James, said his house was among several residential buildings submerged, and he lost household items, valuables and important documents.
He blamed the flooding on blocked waterways and drainage channels caused by indiscriminate refuse dumping.
According to him, many residents struggled through the rain to salvage their belongings, while others could not save anything because of the high level of water that entered their homes.
The flood also disrupted traffic along the JalingoโWukari road after heavy flooding washed away a temporary bridge constructed near the collapsed Namnai Bridge.
It was the second time in three weeks that the temporary bridge had been destroyed by flooding, leaving thousands of travellers and vehicles stranded on both sides of the Namnai River.
A resident of Namnai town, Mallam Tanko Saidu, said efforts were underway to deploy engine boats from Mayoreniyo and other communities along the River Benue to ferry passengers and vehicles across the flooded river.
