Taraba lawmaker calls for help for flood-affected community

A member of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Abel Diah, has asked for urgent help for people in Warwar community. This plea comes after heavy rains flooded homes, farmlands, crops, and livestock in Sardauna Local Government Area.

Mr Diah, who represents the Mbamnga State Constituency, called on government agencies, development partners, philanthropists, and other caring Nigerians to provide relief items and humanitarian support to families hit by the floods.

His appeal comes as warnings of flood risks in Taraba increase during the 2026 rainy season.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) started its 2026 flood preparedness campaign in Taraba in June. They warned about flood risks and urged authorities and residents to take early steps to protect lives and properties.

NEMA also advised people living in flood-prone areas to pay attention to early warnings and move to safer places when flooding is expected.

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) named Taraba among 15 states at high risk of river flooding from September 19 to 25. They pointed to rising river levels and the chance of flooding in areas located on floodplains.

Mr Diah expressed worry about the situation in Warwar. He noted that many residents rely heavily on farming for their income.

He mentioned that the destruction of farms and crops is a big loss for affected families. Many farmers had put in months of hard work and money into their farms.

He explained that losing crops and farmland will make life even harder for families whose income comes from agriculture.

Mr Diah urged the authorities to do more than just provide emergency relief. He wants them to adopt plans that will help Warwar and nearby communities be less vulnerable to floods.

He said ongoing support will be essential to help families recover, rebuild their lives, and protect their sources of income from future flooding.

Taraba has seen serious flood damage in past years.

A 2024 report by the International Organisation for Migration, together with NEMA, the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, found that 32,319 people in 7,349 households suffered from flooding across seven local government areas in the state.

There is no immediate independent figure available on how many households were affected or the total value of property and farm losses from the recent flooding in Warwar.