PICTORIAL: 3 Die As Floods Ravage Communities In Bauchi   

Not fewer than three persons have lost their lives as floods immersed some communities in Shira, Giade and Katagum local government areas of Bauchi State.

Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Mas’ud Aliyu disclosed this during the assessment of the damage caused by flood across the three local government areas on Tuesday.

Aliyu said the agency received the report that three people died in Shira local government area while the floods have rendered thousands of people homeless, without means of livelihood.

The SEMA boss added that the floods also wreaked havoc by destroying farmlands and cutting off roads in some areas.

The flood also washed away villages in Shira, which forced the communities to seek for temporary refugee resettlement centres.

Speaking during the inspection, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the local government, Musa Azare said Sabon Gari village in the outskirts of Azare town, along Azare-Jama’are Federal Highway in Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State has been completely submerged.

According to him, there is no single household that was not affected.

Azare however said the residents of the village were successfully evacuated to a nearby government quarters, with the approval of the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed.

“And the happiest thing is that, there is no single life lost in the tragic floods. We are still assessing the damage done by the floods to properties,” Azare said.

He added that the local government is working with the State and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) while commending Governor Mohammed for sending 900 bags of grains comprising 300 bags of rice, sorghum, maize each as well as 250 mattresses and blankets to provide succour to the victims.

Similarly,the Chairman lauded the Emir of Katagum, Alhaji (Dr.) Umar Farouk for donating N2 million to cater for the immediate needs of the displaced victims while stating that the local government also donated N1 million naira to the victims.

While presenting relief materials to the affected communities, Secretary to the State Government, Ibrahim Kashim said the government provided the relief materials with the aim of alleviating the suffering of the victims, and to provide them with essential items needed to survive the disaster.

He urged the victims to take heart and understand that what had happened to them was an act of God, advising them to always abide by the warning of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

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