Flooding has displaced at least 1,664 people in four communities in Gada Local Government Area of Sokoto State, according to a statement by the Sokoto Emergency Management Agency.
The flood resulted from heavy rain on July 17, 2024, causing severe damage to homes and farmlands.
The Information Officer for SEMA, Abdullahi Ghani, said, “The recent downpour left many residents of Gada Local Government Area homeless and displaced. It also destroyed several hectares of farmlands and led to the death of many sheep and goats.”
The statement noted that an assessment conducted by the National Emergency Management Agency and SEMA revealed extensive damage in several communities. Some of the affected communities include Dantudu, Balakozo, Gidan Tudu, and Tsitse towns.
In Dantudu village, 62 houses and 71 households were affected. In Balakozo village, 33 houses and 48 households were affected. In Gidan Tudu village, 38 houses and 52 households were affected. In Tsitse town, 68 houses and 89 households were affected. In total, 1,664 people have been affected by the flooding in these communities.
Nigeria has faced significant floods in the past, including in 2012, 2018, 2020, and 2022.
The Federal Government recently warned that 94 towns are at risk of flooding from July 16 to July 20, 2024. Dr. Iziaq Salako, the Minister of State for Environment, advised that these areas would likely experience heavy rainfall leading to potential floods.
A non-governmental organization, Safe and Better Nigeria, urged the government to learn from past floods and prepare adequately for the 2024 floods. The NGO emphasized that proper preparation could reduce the impact of future floods.
In related news, four people were swept away by floods in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State on July 18, 2023.
The heavy rain, which continued into the weekend, caused severe flooding, claiming the lives of the victims, including a mother and child.
