No fewer than 20,000 persons were affected by devastating floods accompanied by thunder strikes that ravaged Mbula communities in Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State on Aug. 13.
The disaster destroyed more than 600 houses, almost 4,000 farmlands, schools, and health facilities, while several lives were lost and many residents sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Community sources told Insight Northeast that the floods washed away farmlands, livestock and properties, leaving hundreds of families homeless and displaced.
At Borrong General Hospital, several victims were receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the incident.
His Royal Majesty, Murum Bwaltam Bently Biyapo, Mboiman II JP, the paramount ruler of Mbula land, visited affected communities to sympathise with the victims.
The traditional ruler was also at the hospital to comfort the injured and bereaved families, urging survivors to relocate to higher grounds for safety.
“Our people are passing through grief, hunger and sickness. We have lost farmlands and properties. We need urgent government intervention and humanitarian support,” the ruler said.
Community leaders said stagnant floodwaters had already triggered outbreaks of waterborne diseases, worsening the plight of survivors.
They appealed to government agencies, NGOs and humanitarian organisations to provide immediate relief assistance, including food supplies, medical aid, and shelter for displaced persons.
The Mbula people, they said, are struggling to recover from the tragedy but face “weighty challenges” in their bid to return to normalcy.
