A devastating flood has claimed the lives of at least 31 people and destroyed 5,280 houses across 21 local government areas in Kano State.
According to the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Isyaku Kubarachi, the disaster affected around 280 people and led to the destruction of 2,518 farmlands, covering 976 hectares.
Kubarachi stated that the heavy rainfall responsible for the flood was particularly severe, resulting in injuries to 135 people as mud houses collapsed on them.
The affected local government areas include Wudil, Gwale, Nassarawa, Dala, Tarauni, Dawakin-Tofa, and Dambatta, among others.
In response to the disaster, the state government, under Governor Abba Yusuf, had taken preventive measures before the rainy season, including clearing drains and removing refuse to facilitate water flow. SEMA and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have assessed the damage and submitted the data to the government for necessary aid.
The state government is working to provide assistance to the affected areas, while NEMA has also promised to help assess the impacted communities. Currently, displaced individuals are staying with neighbors, as there are no internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Kano.
Some affected residents have expressed disappointment with the government’s response and are urgently appealing for immediate assistance from both state and federal authorities.
