KATSINA—FLOOD, after a downpour that lasted hours, yesterday, killed no fewer than 49 persons, with dozens declared missing, while over 90 houses were destroyed in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The Executive Secretary, Katsina State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Dr. Aminu Waziri, confirmed these to Vanguard.
Waziri, who said his men were on search-and-rescue and assessment missions in the affected areas, had earlier said: “Over 38 were confirmed dead. Over 200 houses destroyed.”
The District Head of Jibia, Alhaji Rabe Rabi’u, had earlier confirmed about 25 persons dead, dozens declared missing, 90 houses destroyed, 260 livestock killed and farmlands submerged.
It was gathered that additional corpses were found near Niger Republic, where the flood dragged the lifeless bodies to.
Meanwhile, Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State visited the affected areas to sympathise with victims and assured them of urgent government’s intervention.
It was also gathered that persons who lost their lives in the disaster have since been buried according to Islamic rites.
Hours of down pour
The downpour, which started at about 11p.m. on Sunday night and stopped around 1a.m. yesterday, also claimed lives of about 260 livestock and destroyed farmlands in the area.
District Head of Jibia, Alhaji Rabe Rabi’u, confirmed the development yesterday, saying “we have discovered 25 corpse, including mothers and children and many are still missing.
“Over 260 cows, sheep and goats were killed by the flood. The heavy rainfall started around 11 p.m. on Sunday night and stopped by 1a.m. this morning (yesterday).
A resident in the area said the downpour caused the rivers in the affected villages to overflow their banks, resulting in loss of lives and properties.
The source said a food vendor, Halima Zubairu Jibia, and two of her children, were killed by the flood, which swept away her container shop around Sabuwar Mosque area of Jibia.
Meanwhile, several persons have also been rendered homeless from the downpour which affected about 10 communities.
The communities badly affected include Kwata, Dantudu, Sabuwar, Tukare, Tsohuwar Tukare and Ungwar Mai Kwari.
