Three killed, thousands displaced as floods ravaged 3 LGAs in Bauchi $tate.

From Paul Orude Bauchi

Three people have died in floods disaster that ravaged communities in Shira, Giade and Katagum Local Government Areas of Bauchi State.

Secretary to the Government, Ibrahim Muhammed Kashim led a delegation to Katagum to commiserate with affected communities.

The delegation donated relief materials to ease sufferings of victims.

The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Katagum, Musa Azare disclosed that the flood affected  Sabon Gari village, an outskirt of Azare town, along Azare-Jama’are Federal Highway.

“The villages have been completely submerged,” Azare said.

“There is no single household that was not affected. 

“We evacuated everybody from the village to a nearby government quarters, with the magnanimous approval of His Excellency, Senator Bala AbdulKadir Mohammed, CON, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State.

“And the good thing is that there is no single life lost in the tragic floods in Katagum. 

“We are still assessing the damage done by the floods and working with State and National Emergency Management Agencies”

The Katagum Caretaker Chairman thanked the governor  for sending 900 bags of varieties of grains; rice 300 bags, sorghum 300 bags, maize 300 bags; 250 mattresses and blankets to provide succour to the victims.

“Similarly, I want to appreciate His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr. Umar Farouk II, OON, the Emir of Katagum for donating the sum of Two Million Naira to cater for the immediate needs of the displaced victims, ” he said 

“The Local Government has also donated the sum of One Million Naira to the victims.”

The Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Mas’ud Aliyu, disclosed three people died in Shira while thousands were rendered homeless without means of livelihood.

This, he said, include farmlands, roads as the floods  submerged the areas.

Aliyu said Giade -Isawa was cut off.

He acknowledged the receipt of relief materials presented by the state government to alleviate the suffering of the victims, and  provide them with essential items needed to survive the disaster.

Meanwhile, the SSG has urged the victims to take heart and understand that what had happened to them was an act of God.

Kashim advised them to always abide by the warning of Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NIMET, about flooding alerts.

Also speaking, the Caretaker council Chairmen of the Shira and Giade Local Government areas highlighted the devastating impact of the flood.

They lamented that the flood has submerged entire communities ,  forcing displaced persons to seek for temporary resettlement centers 

They expressed gratitude to Governor Mohammed for the swift response demonstrated towards commitment to the welfare of citizens.