SEMA: Three killed, properties worth N900m destroyed by flood in Bauchi

At least three persons have been reportedly killed from severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall in Bauchi North Senatorial District.

TrackNews Media gathered that the rain which fell for three consecutive days also claimed the lives of domestic animals, destroyed farmlands and other valuable properties worth millions of naira.

Responding to the tragic incident, Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed, established a high-level committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr Ibrahim Kashim Mohammed, to assess the extent of the damage in the affected areas.

Accompanying the SSG on the visit were several key officials, including the State Commissioner of Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Hajara Yakubu Wanka; Commissioner of Housing and Environment, Rt Hon Danlami Ahmad Kawule; Commissioner of Works, Hon Ibrahim Gambo Galadima; Commissioner of Finance, Dr Yakubu Adamu; and the DG SEMA, along with representatives from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The committee visited Giade Local Government Area (LGA) to survey the damage, including the Giade-Shira portion of the Federal Highway, which was completely washed away, making it impassable.

The team also inspected the Giade-Azare State Road and the Azare-Jama’are portion of the Kano-Maiduguri Expressway, both of which were severely impacted by the floods.

On behalf of the Governor, the SSG expressed sympathy to the victims, assuring them that the government would provide relief to help mitigate the impact of their losses.

Addressing journalists in Giade LG, the Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mas’ud Aliyu disclosed that thousands of people have been displaced, with their homes and farmlands destroyed.

Aliyu confirmed the death of three people, adding that assessments were ongoing across the three affected LGAs.

The DG said the relief materials provided by the state government would ease the suffering of the victims.

The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Giade LGA expressed gratitude to the Governor for dispatching the delegation, noting that many communities and villages had been submerged by the flood.