Kaduna, Bauchi order residents to vacate flood-prone areas
Downpour cuts off six Yobe councils
In the aftermath of the recent flooding, the Kaduna and Bauchi state governments have directed residents living in flood-prone areas to relocate. The directive followed the devastating flood that swept homes and properties in Sabon-Gari, Zaria and parts of Kaduna metropolis on Monday.
Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Usman Hayatu-Mazadu, while addressing journalists on the development, explained that the state government had taken measures to mitigate the impact of the flood, including desilting drainages and conducting sensitisation campaigns.
He noted that despite predictions and warnings, some residents refused to relocate, leading to the destruction of over 200 homes in the Zaria and Sabon-Gari council areas.
Hayatu-Mazadu stressed that residents’ cooperation was crucial in ensuring their safety. Besides, he urged residents, particularly farmers, to take advantage of the alternative land provided by the state government for farming, and to relocate to the urban centres. He warned that the rainy season would be longer than usual, increasing the risk of flooding across the state.
According to him, the state government has set up camps for those affected, providing food, non-food items and security. Hayatu-Mazadu added that the government is working to ensure that residents understand the value of their lives and the importance of cooperating with it to prevent further disasters in the state.
The SEMA boss restated the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens, adding that the residents must also take responsibility for their lives and properties.
Also, the Director General of Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency, Mas’ud Aliyu, in a statement, appealed to residents living in vulnerable areas to vacate their homes due to heightened flood threats.
According to Aliyu, Giade, Katagum and Shira council areas have been the most severely impacted by the disaster. He explained that in these three local councils, extensive farmlands have been submerged.
MEANWHILE, the flood has cut off the Potiskum-Gashua federal road in Yobe State, denying six council areas in the northern district from accessing Damaturu, the state capital.
The heavy flow of water from the Jama’are River in Bauchi State affected the following local councils: Jakusko; Bade; Karasuwa; Nguru; Yusufari, and Machina.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, forced all six council areas to take alternative routes through the dilapidated Bayamari-Dapchi road en route to Hadejia road in Jigawa State.
The Chairman of Nangere local government area, Samaila Musa who visited the scene, explained that the non-accessibility of the road has already affected movements to farms and markets especially those coming to Potiskum Livestock markets.
“I visited the road that was cut off, and it has already started affecting our economic and agricultural activities, especially those that will be coming to the livestock market in Potiskum. I am on my way to meet the Deputy Governor and inform him of the situation” he said.
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