A severe flood, following heavy rainfall, has inundated many houses and farmlands in the Cheledi community of Kirfi Local Government Area, Bauchi State.
According to DailyTrust, it was reported by the residents that over 100 households and numerous farmlands have been destroyed by the flood.
The acting chairman of Kirfi Local Government Area, Alhaji Bala Muhammed Duguri, confirmed the incident to reporters, noting that although no lives were lost, the situation poses a serious threat to both Cheledi and Kirfi communities.
He urged victims to view the disaster as an “act of God.”
Duguri appealed to both state and federal governments for urgent assistance, highlighting the severe conditions faced by affected individuals who are now without food, clothing, and shelter. Some have sought refuge with relatives, while others are temporarily staying in primary schools.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of the State Emergency Management Agency Dr. Abubakar Umar Gabarin, stated that the state government will conduct a damage assessment to provide emergency aid and address the victims’ needs.
Gabarin noted that SEMA, along with experts from the Ministries of Water Resources, Works, Lands and Survey, and the North East Development Commission, will visit the area to evaluate the damage and propose long-term solutions.
Meanwhile, NEMA warned that the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook identified Yobe as one of the states with high-risk LGAs prone to flooding.
Mrs Umar, stated this at the inauguration of the 2024 Effective Waste Management and Flood Mitigation Sensitisation Campaign in Damaturu on Tuesday.
The DG, represented by Mr Aminu Ringim, the agency’s deputy director, finance and account, added that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency forecast that Bade, Jakusko, Yunusari, Gulani, Geidam, Potiskum, Borsari and Karasuwa were most at risk to flooding.
She further said, “Recognising the urgency of the situation, NEMA conducted a stakeholders’ technical meeting in April, and an emergency coordination forum in May. These meetings analysed the forecasts and designed a comprehensive communication strategy.
