As flood continues to wreak havoc across communities in Niger State, no fewer than 14 persons have  lost their lives and property worth hundreds of millions of naira washed away due to heavy downpour in just one month.

The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Ibrahim Inga made the revelation in Minna on Saturday while briefing newsmen on the extent of the damages so far caused by the flood in the state.

Inga said that Niger State was ranked second among the frontline states prone to flood in the country, noting that about 65 communities across 17 local government areas of the state have been affected by flood since the rain began.

He said the affected local government areas include; Edati, Gbako, Munya, Agaie, Rafi, Bida, Bosso, Chanchanga, Wushushi, Gurara, Mariga, Magama, Lapai, Mokwa, Shiroro, Lavun and Borgu.

Ingi lamented that 80 percent of rice farmlands at Gimain in Lavun Local Government Area cultivated through the Central Bank of Nigeria Anchor Borrowers Programme has been submerged by water.

He said the agency had been overwhelmed by the devastating effect of the flood, pointing out that about 80 percent of the affected communities have received some succour  after due assessment.

While appealing for federal government intervention, he noted that the agency had spent over ₦762 million for emergency intervention response, risk reduction and preparedness so far.