Flood scene in Nigeria

No fewer than 53 people have died in eleven states following flood disasters that displaced more than 100,420 persons this year.

Thousands of houses, farmlands and property worth billions of Naira were also lost to the flood disasters in many Local Government Areas affected in the northern states.

The affected states are Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Jigawa, Adamawa, Yobe, Gombe and Bauchi.

In Kano State, a Director with the State Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation Agency (SERERA), Alhaji Sabi’u Mohammed, said 12 people lost their lives in the disasters.

“The deceased lost their lives in six Local Government Areas of the state between August and September as a result of the flooding.

“Six persons died in Shonono, two each in Dala and Tudun Wada and one each in Gabasawa and Takai Local Government Areas,” he said.

He told NAN that more than 1, 600 persons were displaced by the flood while property worth millions of Naira was destroyed.

Mohammed explained that officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had already visited some of affected areas and assessed the situation.

“At our own level we have submitted a comprehensive report to the state government for possible assistance to the victims of the disaster.

“I am happy to inform you that the government had recently approved N15.8 million for the purchase and distribution of relief materials to victims of the flood disaster in Albasu Local Government area,’’ he said.

From Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States, NEMA confirmed the death of eleven persons as a result of flooding.

Mr Thickman Tanimu , Deputy Head, Sokoto Zonal Operations Office of NEMA said 10 of the victims died in Zamfara, while a seven-year-old boy died at Kuchi village in Kebbe Local Government of Sokoto State.

Tanimu said that more than 86, 710 hectares valued N1.58 billion were destroyed in the three states.

According to him, a total of 20, 477 homes were also affected, rendering more than 46, 200 people homeless.

He said that the flood affected eight out of the 14 Local Government Areas in Zamafara, which included Shinkafi, Talata Mafara, Gusau, Anka, Tsafe, Bungudu, Zurmi and Maradun.

The official explained that 8, 540 houses and 6,450 hectares of farmland valued at N 260 million were destroyed in the affected areas in the state.

Tanimu further said that 11 out of the 23 Local Governments in Sokoto state were affected by the flood, while two communities in Wurno and Goronyo Local Governments were evacuated.

“The other Local Governments affected were Rabah, Kware, Binji, Kebbe, Gwadabawa, Wamakko, Bodinga, Sokoto North and Sokoto South.”

Tanimu added that, 24,750 people and 6, 922 houses were affected, with 42,800 hectares of farmlands worth N 750 million either totally destroyed or badly affected.

In Kebbi state, the NEMA official said that 10 out of the 21 Local Governments were also affected by the disaster.

They were Argungu, Birnin Kebbi, Bunza, Kalgo, Dandi, Bagudo, Yauri, Danko Wasagu and Suru.

He disclosed that 21, 450 people and 5,015 houses were affected, while 37,460 hectares of farmlands worth N 570 million were also destroyed.

According to him, two communities in Birnin Kebbi, namely Wabbako-Fulani and Wabbako-Hausa, have been submerged by the flood.

Tanimu said that the agency had provided food and other essential materials to assist the victims as part of the initial Federal Government’s intervention.

He attributed the high level of losses to the release of water from Bakalori and Goronyo dams located in Zamfara and Sokoto states respectively.

In Kaduna State, the Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Ezekiel Baba, confirmed the death of three people in Kachia Local Government Area of the state.

Bala said the three persons died in August following a flood disaster which also destroyed several houses and crops; saying: “We have not had any major flood incident in Kaduna state this year.

“So far, the only areas affected by flood were Kachia, Soba and Kajuru local Government Areas, which was largely due to negligence on the part of the affected communities.

“Many of the affected communities are in the habit of dumping waste in drains, “ he said.

He, however, said that the agency had been conducting series of enlightenment campaign to enlighten the public on the dangers of dumping refuse in drains.

“We have also warned the general public on a possible flood disaster, particularly communities living in flood-prone areas,“ he added.

Similarly, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Ahmed Salihu told NAN that the ministry has assigned contractors to consistently desilt solid waste from drains.

“We have also educated and enlightened all Local Governments likely to be affected by the impending flood based on NiMet’s prediction to be prepared just in case the flood becomes a reality,” he said.

However, NEMA’s North-West Zonal Coordinator, Malam Musa Illalah, attributed the occurrences of flooding partly to disregard to building regulations by the people.

NAN