Bauchi flood claims 24 lives, injures 163 others – Report
Story by Ahmad SAKA, Bauchi
Bauchi State Government has disclosed that 24 people lost their lives while the number of injured stands at 163 following a heavy flood that affected communities in 16 local government areas of the state.
The Commissioner, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajiya Hajara Yakubu Wanka, said this on Monday during a press briefing held at Government House Bauchi after the State Executive Council Meeting presided over by Governor Bala Mohammed.
Hajara explained that the recent persistent heavy rainfall witnessed in the state as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) led to flooding which affected most of the northern parts of the state.
She said that the flood displaced 122,330 persons with Shira, Giade, Dambam, Itas Gadau local government areas mostly affected.
The commissioner said the flood washed away 60 culverts and cut out twelve major roads in the state, disrupting social and economic activities in the process.
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She said that 11,183 livestock, 52,035 houses, 178 electric poles were destroyed.
Hajara said they are working with the Ministries of Health, Education and other relevant ministries on the level of damage.
She said Governor Mohammed personally went to some of the locations in the Katagum zone to inspect the situation.
The commissioner commended the federal government for the concern shown as five ministers came to Bauchi and commiserated with the government and people of the state.
She said, “We are putting heads together with the federal government to get a lasting solution to the recurrent flood disaster in the state.
The commissioner said Governor Mohammed approved additional funding to renovate some culverts.
She said the government donated some relief materials like food stuffs, mats, blankets to the victims to ease their sufferings.
It could be recalled that Bauchi was among the 31 states predicted by NiMET to experience devastating floods as a result of heavy rainfall in 2024.
Proofreading by Gift Luckson, Editor at Neptune Prime.
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