Deadly Flooding Hits Yola, Adamawa State: Five Confirmed Dead, Thousands Displaced
Severe flooding has ravaged Yola, the capital of Adamawa State, Nigeria, leading to confirmed fatalities, numerous injuries, and widespread displacement. The disaster, triggered by heavy and prolonged rainfall, struck on Sunday, July 27, 2025.
Impact and Casualties:
Fatalities and Injuries: As of July 27, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed five persons dead and 55 others injured as a direct result of the flooding in various parts of Yola. Local residents, however, fear that the actual number of lives lost, particularly among children, could be significantly higher. The injured are currently receiving treatment at the Modibbo Adama Teaching Hospital in Yola.
Submerged Homes and Displacement: Thousands of residents have been severely affected. Over 600 houses were reportedly submerged or completely washed away, forcing countless families to flee their homes. Many displaced individuals are now seeking refuge in emergency camps and primary schools across the city.
Worst-Hit Areas: The most severely impacted communities in both Yola North and Yola South Local Government Areas include:
Shagari Low Cost
Sabon Pegi
Modire
Yolde Pate
Yola Bye Pass
Tashan Sani
Anguwan Tabo
Ummare
Sanda Fadama II
Ibnu Abbas
Infrastructure Damage: The floodwaters have ruined roads, preventing both human and vehicular movement, and electricity supply has been disconnected in the most affected areas.
Farmland Destruction: Vast tracts of farmland have been swept away, immediately raising concerns about a potential food crisis in the affected regions.
Health Concerns: The presence of stagnant water and compromised sanitation in the flooded zones is increasing the risk of deadly waterborne diseases, posing a further threat to the affected population.
Response and Assistance:
Emergency Services Mobilized: The Adamawa State Police Command, in collaboration with personnel from the 23 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Yola, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Red Cross, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), have rapidly mobilized to the affected areas. They are actively engaged in rescue operations, evacuating stranded residents, and providing immediate assistance. Marine police officers and engine boats are being utilized to rescue people from submerged areas.
Government Pledges: The Adamawa State Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapha Farauta, has inspected the flood-ravaged areas and directed relevant authorities to provide essential relief, including shelter, food, clothing, and medication to the victims.
Contributing Factors and Calls for Action:
Heavy Rainfall: The immediate cause of this devastating flood was a heavy downpour that commenced before dawn on Sunday and persisted throughout the morning. Eyewitnesses described it as one of the heaviest rainfall events in recent memory.
Drainage and Infrastructure Deficiencies: Residents have consistently voiced concerns about inadequate and poorly maintained drainage systems, as well as waterways blocked by human activities like rice farming and illegal structures.
Dam Construction/Overflow Allegations: Some residents have also claimed that the flooding was not solely due to rain but was exacerbated by an overflow or improper management of a dam constructed by a company in the area.
Call for Upgrades: Affected residents are appealing to the state government to upgrade major culverts into proper bridges to accommodate larger water flows and to urgently clear blocked waterways to prevent future occurrences.
Recurrent Problem: Yola, particularly communities situated along the banks of the Benue and Gongola rivers, is unfortunately prone to annual flooding. State authorities, including ADSEMA and NEMA, had launched sensitization campaigns in May 2025 to prepare for the expected rainy season floods, urging residents in flood-prone areas to heed warnings and relocate. Despite these efforts, the severity of this latest flood clearly indicates a critical need for more robust preventative measures and significant infrastructure development.
The Adamawa State Police Command has assured the public of their continued commitment to assist affected communities and ensure safety during this challenging period.
