Thousands of people have reportedly been displaced following a heavy downpour that lasted for several hours in Karnaya, one of the villages in the Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
Flooding has become a recurring decimal in the northwestern state. Only a few weeks ago, some houses in the state were submerged by flood, a situation that forced emergency officials to offer relief materials to Jigawa residents.
The Jigawa State government says that no fewer than 50 people, including children, have died from flooding across the state in the past few months. Other states across the country are currently battling flooding which has led to the loss of lives and property worth millions of naira.
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A community leader identified as Bala Adamuwho confirmed the development said that over 500 houses were destroyed while many livestock were lost following the incident over the weekend.
He explained that many residents who have been displaced from their homes are now having to seek shelter at filling stations and schools located in the community, adding that many residents could not sleep as they tried to salvage their property.
He said, “the flood began around 11 pm yesterday. We all came out to save what we can. Over five hundred houses have been affected. Now our people are taking refuge at a school and some filling stations that are not affected, but they can’t contain us.”
While describing the situation as deeply terrifying, Adamu called on the state and federal government as well as well-meaning Nigerians to come to their aid as many residents have become sick.
Story was adapted from Premium Times.