Flood, windstorm kill 75, displace 6,592 persons in Yobe – SEMA

Dr. Mohammed Goje, the Executive Secretary of Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said flood occasioned by a violent windstorm has killed 75 persons across 255 communities in the last six months.

Goje revealed this to newsmen in Damaturu when he spoke on the level of damages caused by the disaster in the 17 local government areas of the state.

He added that the flood had also washed away 10 major roads and displaced 6,592 persons in some of the worst hit areas of Bade, Karasuwa, Jakusko, Gujba, and Gulani.

According to Goje, the 75 reported deaths were the direct consequences of the ravaging flood/windstorm with many more lives at risk across 10 local government areas and that more than 200 had sustained varying degrees of injuries and were treated free of charge.

“Those in flood-prone areas and along waterways have been the hardest hit by the floods.

“Preliminary reports and desk review indicated that, so far 92 water points and lots of WASH facilities have been affected. This is particularly of huge concern in Jakusko, Bade, Gulani, Mutai, and Geidam.

“In these and many other communities, water is not receding at all or doing so at a very slow pace,” he said.

The Executive Secretary, however, lamented that, in many of the affected communities, especially Gulani, Gujba, Tarmuwa, and Jakusko where access roads have been disconnected, delivery of life-saving support becomes difficult.

“The good news is Governor Mai Mala Buni has directed immediate reconstruction and provision of alternative routes and work has since commenced with three of the 10 roads now accessible,” Goje said.

He said SEMA, alongside other frontline ministries and agencies as well as the local volunteers, are working round the clock to assist the affected communities as directed by the state Governor.