Rescue operation teams have continued to recover more dead bodies, with families still missing some of their relatives following the devastating flood in Adamawa State.

The executive secretary of the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Celine Laori, on Tuesday exclusively confirmed to PUNCH that the death toll has risen from 23 to 25 as of noon on Tuesday.

Dr. Laori, who is also the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health, said that the rescue operation has continued in areas that were worse hit by the flood.

“As of now, the death toll has increased from 23 on Monday to 25 on Tuesday afternoon, but the rescue operation is still going on to recover the missing residents, ” she said.

“I am now an IDP myself, because I spend the entire day and part of the night in the camp to ensure everything is going as planned. The health of the IDP is paramount to the state government, so as head of ADSEMA, I must monitor all the operations in the camp,” she said.

The executive secretary disclosed that the Namtari IDP camp has been incorporated into the Yelewa primary school camp for easy management.

She said that the National Emergency Management Agency, UNICEF have donated relief materials to the IDPs, pointing out that other agencies are also providing different services for the good health of the flood victims.

“Governor Ahmadu Fintiri took a proactive measure by releasing ?700 million to ADSEMA to purchase relief materials ahead of the flooding season, as was announced by the federal government last month.”

“Without any stress, we are picking relief materials from our warehouse because the governor prepared for emergencies based on information from the federal government,” he said.

Dr. Laori further disclosed that the state government is arranging a financial package for the IDPs to enable their transportation back to their various homes to start a new life. (PUNCH)

• Photo Caption: Marine police on rescue mission in the flood affected areas in Yola, Adamawa on Sunday...Photo Credit: Adamawa Police Command