Yobe: 1076 people displaced as flood destroys 765 mud houses in 16 communities — SEMA

The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, has confirmed the displacement of 386 households, comprising 1076 people following the recent flood in 16 communities of the state.

The Executive Secretary of the agency, Mohammed Goje in a statement on Sunday an estimated number rof 386 households were affected as 765 mud houses, including a Mosque were destroyed in the 16 communities of five local government areas of the state.

Goje said the flood was as a result of the recent bridge collapse at Buskuri along Potiskum-Kano highway.

He said the flood "is affecting communities along Rivers Jama'are and Komodugu tributaries in Yobe state. The flow of water is ransversing down and flooding many households."

He added that many hectares of farmlands along riverine locations have been affected, identifying the affected five LGAs as Bursari, Jakusko, Potiskum, Yusufari and Machina. 

Goje explained that the assessment was ongoing and residents were still informed to follow the precautionary measures to remain safe.

He urged residents to "Be vigilant for any eventualities, including heavy rainfall, windstorms, and disease outbreaks; Ensure measures are in place to save some food and hygiene items; and Monitor changing weather conditions closely.

He further urged the residents to "stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during this period of heightened flood risk."

The Executive Secretary added that the Local Emergency Management Committees, LEMCs, were making effort to advice for evacuation of probable red-flag locations, adding that the SEMA was working closely with the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Northeast to ensure response activation is timely.

The statement partly reads: "While imediate response is on the way to support communities especially during this economic hardship, His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni has directed SEMA to ensure the safety and protection of victims are prioritized."

Allnews.ng reports that a heavy rainfall has cut off a significant part of the Kano-Maiduguri Expressway at Malori-Guskuri, a community in Katagum local government area of Bauchi State.