Written By Isma’il Adamu; Edited By Godwin Duru
More than two hundred families have been displaced in Kusada Local Government Area of Katsina State after rainstorm destroyed their houses and business premises.
The incident which occurred at Dangamu Village left homes, shops and farmlands submerged in the floodwaters with dozens of sheep and goats also reported missing in the mishap.
The incident comes barely two weeks after windstorm killed two persons and destroyed dozens of houses and other property worth millions of Naira at Janbango community in Katsina metropolis.
As the displaced persons take shelter in schools, public spaces and houses of neighbours, the state Emergency Management Agency reports that the latest disaster comes amid a wave of flooding that has affected several communities across the state in the last one month.
Meanwhile, many observers have criticized the “lack of proactiveness” by the state government despite warnings by the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) which had identified 14 local government areas as high-risk flood zones due to the anticipated heavy rainfall this year.
In the meantime, Governor Dikko Umar Radda has sympathised with the victims, describing the destruction of homes and property as a “painful tragedy” that has left many families in distress.
“On behalf of the government and the good people of Katsina State, I sympathise with the victims of this disaster in Dangamu Village. We will not leave you alone at this difficult time,” the governor said.
Radda directed relevant government agencies to assess the extent of damage in the various incidents of flood disaster and provide the government with a comprehensive report to facilitate prompt intervention.