A heavy downpour accompanied by strong winds led to flood in 11 local government areas of Bauchi State, killing eight persons and affecting 567 people in 57 villages.
Coordinator of Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Dr Abubakar Umar Gabarin stated this today Thursday while briefing newsmen in Bauchi.
He said three people died in Ningi, another three in Gamawa and one person each in Jama’are and Toro LGs.
Gabarin said farms, livestock, and other properties were lost to the menace.
He said they are still counting but this is the report so far on their hands which they will submit to the state Governor Senator Bala Mohammed to assist the victims.
On his part, Director, Research and Statistics of the agency Adamu Nayola said the agency advised people residing on waterways to relocate to safe areas before the peak of the rains.
It also warned that they have about three months to prepare against the disastrous effects of the flood.
Adamu said people should avoid swimming in the river whenever they see heavy downpour because the river, sometimes, comes with sharp objects that will injure and kill people.
Some of the victims who poke to our reporters said they have never seen such flooding in their areas, “our houses and farms were submerged, and we lost valuables such as personal documents, animals, and foodstuff. We need help from the government and good samaritans for us to be able to return to normal life,” they said.
Governor Bala Mohammed who visited Unguwar Yankari behind Departments of State Services School directed the state Ministry of Lands and the Ministry of Housing to pay compensation to the people residing on the waterways and demolish the houses.
