Flood kills 49 in Kano, cuts off five villages in Kaduna

The Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has confirmed 49 persons killed and 226 communities affected by flood and windstorms in 27 Local Government Areas of the state from January 2024 to date. The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Alhaji Isyaku Abdullahi-Kubarachi, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing newsmen in Kano.

He recalled that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) had earlier predicted a high risk of flooding in 14 local government areas of the state. He said the affected areas included Tudun Wada, Gwale, Wudil, Danbatta, Ajingi, Dala, Gwarzo, Madobi, Bichi, Kano Municipal, Karaye, Tarauni, Minjibir, Bebeji, Rogo, Shanono, Kabo, Garin Malam and Ungogo.

According to him, others are Kumbotso, Nasarawa, Kura, Dawakin Kudu, Dawakin Tofa, Gezawa, Rogo and Bagwai Local Government areas. He noted that the flood destroyed 6,583 houses while 38, 814 persons were affected. “8,289 farmlands equivalent to ‘36,265 hectares’ were destroyed, 1, 414 persons were displaced and 139 persons were injured,” the SEMA boss said.

Meanwhile, a flood disaster has severed the road connecting Saminaka town to five agrarian communities, including Marjire, in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The collapse of a bridge on the outskirts of Saminaka has isolated these communities from the local government headquarters. Governor Uba Sani has, however, assured that his administration will take immediate action to address the plight of the affected communities. Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Liman Sani Kila, who led the Flood Impact Assessment Committee to Lere LGA, the governor emphasised his commitment to developing the rural economy.

Kila promised that, in addition to reconstructing the damaged road and bridge, relief materials would be provided to the affected communities. Lere Local Government Chairman, Mathew Bulus Gambo, expressed gratitude to Governor Sani for setting up a high-powered committee to address the issue. He noted that the collapse of the bridge has crippled economic activities in the affected areas, emphasising the importance of prompt action.