At least 225 communities across 31 Local government areas in Kano and Jigawa State have been affected by flooding, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said.
This is just as NEMA called on residents and stakeholders to take appropriate proactive measures to avert incessant flooding currently ravaging various communities.
The Coordinator of NEMA Territorial Office in Kano, Dr Nuradden Abdullahi, said this while briefing newsmen in Kano on Saturday.
He said heavy and prolonged rainfalls since July had resulted in severe and extensive flooding in many communities in northern Nigeria.
Abdullahi said based on NEMA assessment report, “flood has so far affected 225 communities in 31 Local Government Areas in Kano and Jigawa states,” adding that it resulted in widespread destruction of houses, infrastructure, displacement of people and loss of crops and livestock.
According to him, the affected 31 local government areas: include Tudun Wada, Doguwa, Kibiya, Kiru, Gwale Danbatta, Bagwai, Ajingi, Albasu, Shanono, Tsanyawa, Rimin Gado and Dawakin Kudu Local Government Areas of Kano State.
Others include Kafin hausa, Malam madori, Hadejia, Guri, Kirikasamma, Kaugama, Babura, Gwaram, Dutse,Gwiwa,maigatari,Gumel, Birniwa, Jahun, Miga, Kiyawa and Birnin Kudu LocalGovernment Areas of Jigawa State.
“Recall that earlier this month, NiMet DG in a media briefing said that rainfall above normal is expected in 19 Northern states including Kano and Jigawa between August and September 2022. He called on the states to intensify mitigating, adaption and response mechanisms.
“On this note, I urged authorities and stakeholders to shift from a more reactive to proactive role and map out clearer emergency preparedness plans to protect against similar occurrences,” he said.
Abdullahi also called on the states to embark on aggressive awareness campaigns for possible response activities especially at high risk areas to mitigate further losses.
“Residents should adhere to early warning signals and continue clearing drainage systems and canals for easy passage of flood water,” he added.
