A member of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Abel Diah, has called for urgent assistance for residents of Warwar community in Sardauna Local Government Area. Heavy downpours recently submerged houses, farmlands, farm produce, and domestic animals in the community. Mr. Diah, representing the Mbamnga State Constituency, made the appeal to government agencies, development partners, philanthropists, and well-meaning Nigerians. He urged them to provide relief materials and humanitarian assistance to families affected by the flooding.
The appeal comes amid renewed warnings over flood risks in Taraba during the 2026 rainy season. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) launched its 2026 flood preparedness campaign in Taraba in June. NEMA warned of flood risks and urged authorities and communities to take early measures to protect lives and livelihoods. The agency also advised residents of flood-prone communities to heed early-warning alerts and relocate to safer locations whenever flooding threatens.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) listed Taraba among 15 states facing a high risk of riverine flooding between 19 and 25 September. The agency cited rising river levels and the possibility of flooding in communities located on floodplains. This warning followed NEMA's flood preparedness campaign, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to mitigate flood impacts.
Mr. Diah highlighted that the situation in Warwar is particularly concerning. Residents largely depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, and the destruction of farms and crops is a major setback for affected households. Many farmers had invested months of labor and resources in cultivating their farms. The loss of crops and farmland will create additional difficulties for families whose livelihoods depend on agricultural production.
Mr. Diah urged the authorities to go beyond emergency relief by adopting sustainable measures to reduce the vulnerability of Warwar and neighboring communities to flooding. He emphasized that sustained support would be needed to help affected families recover, rebuild their livelihoods, and protect their means of survival against future flooding. This approach would ensure long-term resilience and minimize the impact of future floods.
Taraba has experienced significant flood impacts in previous years. A 2024 assessment by the International Organisation for Migration, in collaboration with NEMA, the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, identified 32,319 people in 7,349 households affected by flooding across seven local government areas assessed in the state. This data underscores the need for proactive measures to mitigate flood risks and support affected communities.
The current flooding in Warwar has caused significant damage, but an independent figure on the number of households affected or the value of property and agricultural losses was not immediately available. Mr. Diah's appeal for assistance highlights the need for urgent action to support affected families and communities. Government agencies, development partners, and philanthropists are urged to provide relief materials and humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of those affected.
Key points
- Taraba lawmaker Abel Diah appeals for urgent assistance for Warwar community affected by flooding.
- NEMA and NIHSA warn of flood risks in Taraba during the 2026 rainy season.
- The destruction of farms and crops poses a major setback for affected households in Warwar.
