Adamawa Flood: Death Toll Rises To 43

As victims recount their losses and expressing fear of imminent outbreak of epidemic following the September 2 flood disaster in Adamawa State, the death toll has reportedly risen to 43.

The Tide source indicate that many people were still missing or unaccounted for while bodies were being recovered in trickles from the flooded rivers.

The Tide investigation further shows that in Lamurde and Numan local government councils, about nine more dead bodies were recovered by some fishermen while six bodies were recovered in River Benue.

A statement from the flood disaster committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Kobis Ari confirmed the recovery of additional bodies from different parts of the state.

However, in the midst of these horrowing experience, survivors camped at various locations in the state were still struggling with bare existence with little or nothing to eat, lack of essential drugs among other necessities.

One of the displaced victims Alhaji Abubakar Adamu at the Damare Primary School in Yola South local government where they are being camped said that three women died with their children strapped on their back and that their corpses were recovered after two days.

He lamented that the camp was experiencing shortage of potable water, fold, sleeping space, mats and many other essentials.

However it is not all gloom at the camps as 16 women had reportedly put to bed within one week at the Government Day Secondary School in Lamurde where over 700 displaced people were camped.

A Red Cross Official, Mrs. Janet Tanko said all the women that delivered babies in the camp were taken to clinics for medical attention and safety of the babies.

She, however, regretted lack of first aid drugs and that people such as diabetic patients who were supposed to be on special diets were suffering due to non availability of recommended foods, a situation she said may complicate their health conditions.

Meanwhile the State Commissioner for health, Mrs. Lillian Stephen has expressed fear over an imminent outbreak of epidemics like cholera in the affected flood areas.

She explained that the flood submerged pit toilets and exhumed buried bodies stressing that fertilizers applied on crops had been mixed with stream water or well water which she said was the main source of drinking water in the area.