Five days after catastrophic floods ravaged Kogin Mata in Chikaji, a community in Zaria, Kaduna State, residents are grappling with the aftermath as emergency response teams assess the damage to provide much-needed assistance to the victims.
The disaster struck on Monday during a relentless downpour that began at 5 a.m. and continued until about 1 p.m., inundating the area and causing widespread devastation.
Auwal Sani-Dambaba, the village head of Chikaji, spoke to journalists on Tuesday, revealing that the flood affected over 200 homes in the community. “Currently, the victims have taken shelter in the neighborhood. No lives were lost, but many graves were left open,” Sani-Dambaba said.
Local officials reported that the flood also washed away more than 2,000 graves in the community’s main cemetery, adding to the sense of loss and despair.
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Chikaji, a predominantly agrarian community, relies heavily on its water bodies for year-round farming. However, this same water resource has become a double-edged sword, making the area highly susceptible to flooding during the rainy season.
A visit to the flood-ravaged community revealed scenes of devastation, with survivors recounting harrowing tales of narrow escapes. Many residents were forced to climb onto their rooftops as the water levels rose rapidly, ultimately overwhelming their homes.
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Emergency response teams continue to assess the damage in hopes of providing relief to the affected residents. The community now faces the daunting task of rebuilding and recovering from the disaster that has left a deep scar on their lives and the land they depend on.
Source: premiumtimesng