Floods Devastate Kano: 31 Dead, 5,280 Houses Destroyed

A devastating flood has claimed the lives of at least 31 people and destroyed 5,280 houses across 21 local government areas in Kano State.

The tragic incident has also affected no fewer than 280 individuals and resulted in the destruction of 2,518 farmlands, covering 976 hectares of land.

The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Isyaku Kubarachi, disclosed these details while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday. Kubarachi emphasized that the heavy rainfall responsible for the flood was particularly severe, causing mud houses to collapse and leaving 135 people injured.

“The flood disaster that occurred in Kano State has tragically resulted in the death of 31 individuals and has severely impacted 21 local government areas, including Wudil, Gwale, Nassarawa, Dala, Tarauni, Dawakin-Tofa, and Dambatta, among others,” Kubarachi stated.

He noted that the state government, under Governor Abba Yusuf, had taken proactive measures before the rainy season to safeguard lives and properties.

“These included clearing blockages in drains and evacuation of refuse to ensure smooth water flow during the rainy season.”

Kubarachi further explained that SEMA and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have conducted assessments in the affected areas and have forwarded the necessary data to the government to facilitate assistance.

“The state government is working on providing aid to all 21 local government areas affected by the flood and hopes for a positive outcome soon,” he said, adding that NEMA has promised to assist in assessing the affected communities.

Despite the efforts, Kubarachi revealed that affected individuals are currently squatting with their neighbors, as there are no internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Kano State.

The disaster has led to dissatisfaction among some of the affected individuals, who have expressed disappointment with the government’s response and have made a passionate appeal to the state and federal governments for immediate assistance, which they say is not forthcoming.