Death Toll in Bauchi Floods Rises to 24

From Paul Orude Bauch

The death toll in the floods in Bauchi State has risen to 24 while the number of injured is 163.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajara Yakubu Wanka, at a press briefing held at Government House Bauchi, on Monday.

Wanka spoke after a State Executive Council Meeting earlier presided over by Governor Bala Mohammed.

She explained that the recent persistent heavy rainfall witnessed in the state as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) led to floods which affected mostly the northern parts of the state.

The Commissioner disclosed that floods displaced 122, 330 persons with Shira, Giade, Dambam, Itas Gadau local government areas mostly affected.

According to her, they washed away 60 culverts and cut out 12 major roads in the state, disrupting social and economic activities in the process.

She revealed that 11, 183 livestock, 2000 houses, 178 electric poles were destroyed by the floods which affected 52, 035 houses.

Wanka disclosed that Governor Bala Mohammed has visited the affected communities and donated relief materials that included both material and non-material items.

She said the Governor has set up a committee to ascertain the level of damage caused by the flood disasters in the state.

She commanded the Federal government for the quick response to the floods, sending delegations to support victims in Bauchi.

Wanka revealed that no fewer than four ministers were deployed by President Bola Tinubu to Bauchi state as a response to the flood disaster.

She pledged the commitment of the state government to partner with the federal government and its relevant agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NAMA) to ameliorate the sufferings of victims.

The Commissioner said most of the displaced persons are currently residing in host communities in parts of the state.

She assured that the committee set up by the state governor would ascertain the level of damage caused by the floods and come out with a lasting solution.

It will be recall that Bauchi was among 13 states predicted by NIMET would experience devastating floods as a result of heavy rainfall for days.