Residents of the Popo area in Offa town, Kwara State, have been thrown into distress as a torrential downpour on Saturday evening triggered severe flooding, submerging homes and leaving many at risk of homelessness. The devastating incident has once again underscored the recurring threat of flooding in the state, prompting urgent appeals for government intervention.
SaharaReporters, through its official X handle, shared harrowing footage of the aftermath, capturing the anguish of displaced residents. In one video, an elderly woman is seen making a desperate plea to authorities.
“We are in the Popo area, Offa town. Water has entered our houses. Government, please help us. Please call the foreign contractor you awarded the project to come and fix this. Don’t let our houses collapse,” she begged.
The latest flood disaster is not an isolated event in Kwara State. In recent weeks, similar tragedies have wreaked havoc, with residents bearing the brunt of inadequate flood management infrastructure.
Beyond residential areas, the impact of flooding in Kwara State has been catastrophic for the agricultural sector. SaharaReporters previously detailed how over ₦2 billion worth of rice investments were obliterated in a single day after floodwaters from Jebba Dam engulfed Shonga in Edu Local Government Area.
Thousands of farmers have been left in financial ruin, with many recounting how they had taken out loans from government agencies and other financial institutions to fund their farms—only to watch their investments drown overnight. The devastation has reportedly led to the deaths of at least three individuals due to shock, while several others have been hospitalized.
Ordinarily, farmers in the region receive at least two months’ notice—typically in August and September—before the Jebba Dam releases water. However, this year, no prior warning was issued, leaving farmers completely unprepared for the sudden deluge.
“We only cultivate rice during the dry season and vacate the area during the rainy season to avoid losses,” one distraught farmer told SaharaReporters. “But this time, we were not warned, and now, everything we worked for is gone.”
With lives and livelihoods at stake, residents and farmers alike are demanding swift government intervention to mitigate the flood crisis. Many are urging authorities to reassess water management policies, improve drainage systems, and provide relief to those already affected.
As the rains continue, the fear of further destruction looms large. Without immediate action, Kwara residents may find themselves trapped in a never-ending cycle of devastation, displacement, and despair.
PIONEER NEWS 