Flood Kills Nine Persons, Destroys 25,961 Houses in Katsina

The Katsina State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said flood has destroyed 25,961 houses and rendered thousands of people homeless in 24 local government areas of the state.

The Public Relations Officer of the agency, Mr. Umar Babangida, who disclosed this in a chat with THISDAY on Wednesday, said nine persons, mostly children lost their lives in the disaster.

He said the flood, orchestrated by the recent heavy downpour, completely submerged 7,019 hectares of farmlands and communities in the affected local government areas.

He listed the most affected councils to include Daura, Baure, Katsina, Batsari, Matazu, Kusada and Musawa with 1,000 severe cases each.

He said: “Flood has affected almost all the 34 local government areas of the state, but the most affected ones with severe cases are Musawa, Daura, Katsina, Kusada, Matazu, Baure and Batsari. 25,961 houses have been destroyed with nine deaths.”

He said SEMA has officially notified the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other humanitarian bodies about the incident and the state government is doing everything humanly possible to assist the victims with relief materials.

Babangida added that the agency had commenced an enlightenment campaign to residents of the three senatorial zones of Daura, Katsina and Funtua on how to handle emergency situations and the dangers of building on water channels.

He reiterated that another stakeholders meetings on emergency preparedness and response would be held with NEMA officials, security agencies and top government officials in the state.

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