Residents killed, many displaced as flood ravages Jigawa communities

Several persons have died, while many residents have been displaced after flooding from heavy downpour swept through communities in Jigawa.

The flooding occurred on Tuesday after a heavy downpour, which affected many LGAs, with worst-hit areas being Dutse, Hadejia, Gwaram, Kafin Hausa Kirikasamma, Guri, Auyo and Jahun.

Five of the victims were reported to have lost their lives in Kirikasamma LGA and two in Bulangu town of Kafin Hausa LGA.

Mustapha Lamido, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state, in a post on his Facebook page, condoled with the victims and called on relevant authorities to help ease the suffering of residents.

“We received with sadness, the devastating news of damages caused by floods in some parts of Jigawa State this morning. Our condolence goes to the affected people of Bulangu, Garun-Gabas, Hadejia, Auyo, Kirikasamma, Tandanu and Kafin-Hausa who lost the lives of family members, their properties, including destroyed houses, crops and other valuables,” he said.

“While praying to Allah (SWT) for the repose of the lost souls and replacement of lost properties, we call on all the relevant authorities to do the needful to ease their suffering. We also call on all stakeholders to provide a lasting environmental solution to the menace of flood in Jigawa State.”

SAD RECURRENCE

Jigawa experiences severe flooding incidents arising from heavy downpour, and it leads to loss of lives and livelihoods.

On July 12, the state experienced flooding that killed six persons and injured 65 others. Houses were also swept away and many displaced.

In 2021, NAN reported that more than 120 families were displaced by flooding in Unguwar Tsallake area of Guri LGA of the state.

In 2020, the state experienced one of its worst flooding incidents, with over 40 persons killed and a loss of about 100,000 hectares of rice farms.

Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has sympathised with victims of the recent incident.

“My prayers and thoughts are with the families that have lost dear ones and of communities with thousands displaced in Dutse, Hadejia, Gwaram, Kafin Hausa, Kirikasamma, Guri, Auyo and Jahun local government areas of Jigawa State following flooding occasioned by heavy rainfall,” he said in a post on his social media pages.

“The heavy downpour that has led to this flooding and others with the attendant destruction to lives and properties in different parts of the country in recent times is a confirmation of the dangers we face from the threats of climate change.

“We must become more innovative in how we use and conserve our environment to stem the danger.”