BY AKUDORO GLORIA
The Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has confirmed 49 persons killed and 226 communities affected by flood and windstorm in 27 Local Government Areas between January to date.
The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Alhaji Isyaku Abdullahi-Kubarachi, provided this data while briefing newsmen in Kano, the state capital. He recalled that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had earlier predicted high risk of flooding in 14 local government areas of the state.
Communities that were affected include Tudun Wada, Gwale, Wudil, Danbatta, Ajingi, Dala, Gwarzo, Madobi, Bichi, Kano Municipal, Karaye, Tarauni, Minjibir, Bebeji, Rogo, Shanono, Kabo, Garin Malam, Ungogo, Kumbotso, Nasarawa, Kura, Dawakin Kudu, Dawakin Tofa, Gezawa, Rogo and Bagwai Local Government areas.
Abdullahi-Kubarachi observed further that the flood destroyed 6,583 houses, 38, 814 persons were affected; 8,289 farmlands equivalent to ‘36,265 hectares’ were destroyed; 1, 414 persons were displaced, and 139 persons were injured.
Highlighting the Agency’s proactive response measures in visiting the affected local government areas to sympathise with the victims on behalf of the State Government and the distribution relief materials to alleviate their sufferings, the ES, said with the collaboration of relevant stakeholders its has organized several workshops to proffer ways of curtailing environmental hazards especially flood.
Commending Governor Abba Yusuf for providing logistics and other necessary assistance to alleviate the suffering of the victims, he warned against building on water ways, while urged residents in the state to always clear drainage system in front of their houses to prevent flood.
Abdullahi-Kubarachi charged well-to-do individuals in the state to complement the agency’s efforts by supporting flood victims with relief material.
He assured the Agency’s continued commitment to ensuring the protection of lives and property.