Motorists stranded as flood cuts off Gombe-Yola highway

Thousands of commuters, along with their vehicles and other road users, have been stranded in villages along the Gombe-Yola-Jalingo route following the cutoff of the major road linking parts of the North-East states of Adamawa, Gombe, and Taraba.

A portion of the federal highway, which is under rehabilitation, was completely washed away by a flood caused by heavy rainfall on Thursday afternoon near Lafiya Lamorde, a border town with Gombe State.

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Stranded commuters were seen helplessly standing near the site where a major bridge is under construction between Savannah Sugar Company and Lafiya Lamorde town.

The floodwaters completely washed away what remained at the construction site, making it impossible for vehicles to cross from either side.

Some desperate travelers risked crossing the washed-away part of the road after waiting for over two hours for the water pressure to subside, while others turned back and ended their journeys.

Our correspondent learned that construction workers and volunteers are working to make the road passable, though it may take more than two days before a temporary solution can be arranged.

The washed-out section of the road is already causing significant social and economic setbacks, especially as the harvest season approaches.

Taraba and Adamawa States are known for cattle rearing and farming, producing major food crops transported to different parts of the country and beyond.

The attention of the Federal Government is urgently needed to repair the road to mitigate Nigeria’s rising food crisis.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE