Flood Submerges Houses, Shops in Jalingo After Hours of Rainfall
Several houses, shops and schools were submerged in parts of Jalingo following hours of heavy rainfall that triggered widespread flooding early Saturday.
Residents said the rainfall, which began around 2:30 a.m. and lasted until about 11:30 a.m., inundated low-lying communities, including Mile Six, Mafindi and Mayogwai, leaving properties damaged and disrupting daily activities.
The flooding also affected the busy Jalingo Main Market, where several shops were submerged, forcing traders to rush to salvage goods from the rising water.
A resident of Mile Six, Bulus James, said his home was among those affected, noting that he lost household items and important documents to the flood.
He attributed the incident to blocked waterways and drainage channels caused by indiscriminate waste disposal, which he said worsened the impact of the heavy downpour.
Residents were seen struggling through the rain to rescue belongings, although many were unable to save their valuables due to the rapid rise in water levels.
Traffic along the Jalingo–Wukari Road was also disrupted after floodwaters washed away a temporary bridge near the collapsed Namnai Bridge.
Sources said the incident marked the second time in three weeks that the temporary bridge had been destroyed by flooding, leaving thousands of travellers stranded on both sides of the River Namnai.
A resident of Namnai town, Mallam Tanko Saidu, said many travellers remained stranded as authorities explored alternative transport options.
“We are trying to get engine boats from nearby communities such as Mayoreniyo and other towns along the River Benue to ferry passengers and vehicles across,” he said.
Meanwhile, stakeholders have called on urban planning and environmental authorities in Taraba State to enforce regulations against building on waterways and flood-prone areas, warning that further rainfall in the coming months could worsen the situation if preventive measures are not taken.
Officials urged residents to avoid dumping refuse in drainage channels and to comply with environmental regulations to reduce the risk of future flooding incidents.
