Severe floods have wreaked havoc across multiple communities in Jigawa, Yobe, Bauchi, and Kebbi states, leaving destruction in their wake.
The floods, triggered by heavy rainfall, have submerged numerous houses and farmlands, displacing hundreds of residents and severely disrupting mobility in the affected regions.
In total, seven fatalities have been reported, and valuable properties have been destroyed across these states. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) had previously forecasted heavy rainfalls and potential flash floods in several states, warning of the risks weeks before the incidents occurred.
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In Jigawa State, torrential downpours that began on Friday caused significant damage. A major highway connecting Birnin Kudu to Malawa and Babaldu communities has become impassable, affecting the movement of people and goods to neighboring Bauchi and Gombe states.
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Tragically, three young girls in Tulla village, Buji Local Government Area, drowned while returning from a farm, swept away by the floodwaters. In a separate incident, a collapsed house in Made village resulted in the deaths of Hamza Garba and his son, Abdurrahman.
In Yobe State, the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA) reported that 1,076 individuals from 386 households were displaced by flooding. The collapse of a bridge at Buskuri along the Potiskum-Kano highway further complicated the situation. Communities across 16 villages in five local government areas, including Bursari, Jakusko, Potiskum, Yunusari, and Machina, were heavily affected, with farmlands submerged.
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Bauchi State also experienced severe flooding, with the Kano-Maiduguri expressway being heavily damaged. The floodwaters submerged Sabon Gari village and neighboring communities, leading to the destruction of property and farmlands. Governor Bala Muhammad has appealed for federal intervention, while local authorities have begun providing relief to the displaced residents.
In Kebbi State, flooding in the Dakingari and Argungu areas resulted in the destruction of over 200 homes and the tragic loss of two lives. The situation remains critical, with ongoing assessments of the damage and relief efforts being mobilized.
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Local and state governments, in collaboration with emergency management agencies, are working to provide assistance to the displaced residents and assess the full extent of the damage caused by these devastating floods.