At least 21 dead, thousands of homes destroyed or damaged after severe flooding hits Nigeria
At least 21 people have lost their lives while around 51 000 families have been displaced after severe flooding struck Nigeria following last week's heavy downpours, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) reports.
Heavy rains struck the state of Jigawa last week, damaging or destroying thousands of homes and displacing 51 000 families.
The death toll has risen from 16 to 21, SEMA executive secretary Yusuf Sani reported Monday, September 7, noting that most of the victims were children.
"We were providing all the necessary emergency reliefs to the affected victims, including, food, medicine, sugar, canoes, and temporary shelter," he added.
17 of 27 local government areas of the state have been affected, with Gwaram, Birnin Kudu, Kirikasamma, and Gumel as the worst-hit.
Wide swaths of farmlands were also washed away, and the crops that have been lost were worth billions of naira.
The President, HE @MBuhari had expressed concerns about the flood and directed for the assessment while NEMA was subsequently activated by HM @Sadiya_farouq @FMHDSD. The team comprised of NEMA, @NigAirForce and Kebbi SEMA. @CAS_AMSadique @KBStGovt pic.twitter.com/oltSwKZhTW
— NEMA Nigeria (@nemanigeria) September 4, 2020
"Even though we are yet to ascertain the extent of damage by the flood to the farmlands, we have on record that the farmers at the affected areas incurred colossal of their crops," said Sani.
"We have already deployed our assessment teams who are working round the clock to assess the extent of the loss incurred by our farmers and to report back to our office for further action."
Authorities assured that the state government has accommodated many victims in camps, and relief materials are being provided on a regular basis. The items include food, blankets, rubber mats, tents, clothes, buckets, and cooking utensils.
Accompanied by officials of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, visited flood ravaged areas in the state. He pledged govt's urgent intervention. pic.twitter.com/IvmXzrlkVY
— Theresa Tekenah (@TheresaTekenah) August 30, 2020
Featured image credit: NEMA Nigeria
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