President Muhammadu Buhari
Buhari mourns as over 44 dies, houses destroyed in Katsina, Ogun flood
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, expressed his sadness and concern about the devastation caused by floods in his home state, Katsina, and other parts of the country. In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President pledged the Federal Government’s support for the victims of the disaster. Buhari said he had been saddened to observe the devastation and loss of lives caused by the floods in Katsina State and other parts of the federation.
President Buhari said he had accordingly directed the National Emergency Management Agency to do everything that would bring succor to the victims wherever they were. Governor Aminu Masari on Monday evening during a press conference in Katsina confirmed that 44 lives were lost while 20 people were missing in the overnight rainstorm that ravaged Katsina State border town of Jibia. The rainstorm reportedly started about 11 pm on Sunday and it lasted over two hours.
No fewer than five persons were feared dead and property worth millions of naira destroyed on Friday night, as flood wreaked havoc in some parts of Abeokuta, Ogun capital. The downpour, which started around 4 p.m. and stopped by 9 p.m, caused river channels in the capital city to overflow their banks resulting in loss of lives and sweeping away of several vehicles. Areas mostly affected by the incident include Iya Amolaso, Oke Lantoro, Lanfenwa, Totoro, Ijaye, Kuto and Kobiti areas of Abeokuta metropolis. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ahmed Iliyasu, who could not ascertain the number of deaths, said the police had joined other disaster management agencies in ameliorating the situation.
Unfortunately more incidents like this may be reported in the coming months as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned that many parts of the country are likely to experience flooding due to a shift in rainfall patterns caused by climate change. The Director-General of NiMet, Prof. Sani Mashi, gave the warning in Abuja. Mashi said that distortions had occurred in the pattern of rainfall leading to variation in the amount of rain that was expected in the country.
The Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, has confirmed that 48 people have now died in the flooding in Jibia local government area of Katsina State. Twnety people are still missing.
“This is the worst natural disaster I have ever witnessed in my life. I believe this is the worst ever seen in the state,” the governor said.
“The devastation caused by the heavy rains (and) flood at Kukan Danmaciji of Jibia LGA is indeed enormously overwhelming and heartbreaking. While praying for the repose of the departed souls, the Katsina government will do it’s able best to alleviate the sufferings caused by the losses.”
The governor visited affected areas on 16 July. “I have directed the State Ministry of Environment to divert a storm water drainage away from the stream bordering the neighborhood as preliminary investigations revealed it was the main cause of the flood” he said.
Relief camps have been set up for those disaplced by the flooding. Water supply has also been set up. Medical teams and personnel from Nigeria’s NEMA have been deployed to the area.
Original report, 16 July, 2018:
Over 30 people have reportedly died in flooding in Nigeria over the last few days.
Severe flooding struck Ogun State in south western Nigeria on 13 July after a period of heavy rain caused rivers to overflow.
Torrential rain between 15 and 16 July caused deadly flooding and widespread damage in the northern state of Katsina, situated on the border with Niger.
The disasters in Ogun and Katsina come after deadly flooding struck in Niger state earlier this month.
Ogun State
At least 11 people have died and more are feared missing after major flooding in the city of Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State, Nigeria.
Local media report that vehicles were swept away and houses severely damaged after the Ogun and Sokori rivers broke their banks after torrential rain on Friday 13 July 2018. According to local media, the downpour began during the afternoon and lasted around 3 hours.
According to media report, among the hardest hit areas of the city are Ijaiye, Kuto, Lafenwa, Oke Lantoro, Amolaso, Kobiti and Ilawo.
Katsina State
A period of heavy rain that began late 15 July and continued into 16 July caused deadly flooding in the Jibia local government area of Katsina State.
According to local media, the worst hit areas include Kwata, Dantudu, Sabuwar, Tukare, Tsohuwar Tukare, Ungwar Mai Kwari.
Local media say that at least 25 people have died. The flooding and rain also destroyed 90 houses, as well as crops and cattle.
This was Abeokuta yesterday. It’s very bad. pic.twitter.com/wLP5srjJru
— kokoroewa (@onaskokoroewa) July 14, 2018
Today again. pic.twitter.com/fJYekEi3AU
— kokoroewa (@onaskokoroewa) July 16, 2018
OMG! Results from yesterday’s 3hrs rain in Abeokuta. 💔 😭 pic.twitter.com/D8sDgpae5o
— Hafeez (@TheReal_Hafeez) July 14, 2018
