Flood: KADSEMA Advises Affected Communities Against Return

The Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) has advised residents of communities that were affected by the recent flash flood in Kaduna metropolis, not to return to their residences until the rain subsides.

The Executive Secretary, Malam Muhammed M. Mukaddas, listed the affected communities as Unguwan Dosa Legislative Quarters by Malali; Kigo Road and Rafin Guza, all in Kaduna North LGA, including Romi and Sabon Tasha in Chikun LGA as well as Bashama Road and Hayin Dan Mani in Kaduna South LGA and Igabi LGA respectively.

In a Situation Report which he shared with stakeholders, the Executive Secretary said that KADSEMA has been embarking on daily monitoring and has also been responding to emergencies.

KADSEMA has also sustained its daily monitoring of water levels and velocity in all affected communities which guide its decision to upscale sensitization towards ensuring that vulnerable residents vacate such areas, he said.

Malam Muhammed noted that ‘’efforts to desilt the flooded communities have begun, with support from the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority for Kaduna North, South and Chikun, and Local Emergency Management Committees at LGA levels.’’

The Executive Secretary disclosed that the flash flood in communities of Kaduna state has so far remained mild, in comparison to the situation in Jigawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Yobe and Adamawa states where at least 320 persons were killed by flood.

‘’Kaduna state has thus far recorded only two deaths arising from the 2022 flash flood. The first incident occurred on Friday 9th September when a boy fell into a drainage while trying to dump garbage in a flooded area at Hayin Malam Bello. He was washed away by the moving water.

‘’The second incident occurred on Saturday 18th September at Kabala when a canoe capsized with nine passengers on board. Eight of the passengers were successfully rescued by KADSEMA community volunteer divers. The 9th person drowned,’’ he revealed.

Malam Muhammed however said that there has been damage to property owing to the flash flood in Kaduna North, Zaria and Jaba local governments, as well as Kachia, Kauru and Kubau area councils, including Lere local government area.

The Executive Secretary disclosed that following NiMet’s seasonal prediction of probable risks, 5000 Households were assessed and supported with N35,000 unconditional cash transfers each, to temporarily relocate to safety.

According to Muhammed, ‘’UNICEF, through Red Cross and SOCU disbursed the sum of N175,000,000.00 to 5000HH to enable the vulnerable residents afford temporary shelters ahead of the flash flood.’’

He further said that UNICEF provided another N14,000,000.00 to KADSEMA to review the State’s 2022 Risk Analysis Mapping and Update the Multi-Sectoral Contingency Plan.

KADSEMA added that ‘’Christian Aid and COOPI funded establishment and inauguration of 207 Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs), nine per the 23 LGAs, with the sum of N5,000,000.00 and N1,030,000.00 to conduct Sub-National Coordination Forum.’’

The Executive Secretary further said that Ministry for Local Government provided N5,700,000.00 to develop capacities of the LEMCs, while Kaduna State Government also released N56,000,000.00 relief materials to support victims of disasters.

KADSEMA has also supported persons affected by flood and windstorm at Unguwan Numbu Dagaci-Gwantu (Sanga LGA); Zaria city and Saye (Zaria LGA); Agaji, D/Dan Dan Bala, Kwandari wards (Lere LGA) and Kudan town (Kudan LGA) with building materials, he added.