44 Dead, Many Missing As Flood Destroys Katsina

Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari on Monday 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 was said to have started about 11 pm on Sunday and lasted over two hours.

The governor, who made the disclosure at a press conference in Katsina, said he had never seen such a disaster in his life.

He said, “You need to go there, it was a real disaster. As of the time we left Jibia, no less than 44 people were confirmed dead while over 500 houses were completely damaged.

“I have informed the President about the incident and he has called to sympathise with the people.

“As a government, we shall find permanent solutions to the problem.

“We know Jibia is a flood-prone area and we build drainage. But what happened was that instead of water to flow to the river through the drainage, water from the river was flowing back into the drainage, thereby causing the flooding during the rainstorm.

“We are going to redirect the water flow and I have passed out necessary instructions.

“We have also taken measures to ameliorate the sufferings of the victims.

“The National Emergency Management Agency has also been duly informed and they are sending relief materials to the victims.”

The Executive Secretary, Katsina State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Aminu Waziri also speaking on the incident said, “What we are doing presently is to find temporary accommodation for those whose houses have been washed away or damaged. We must provide them where they can put their heads for heaven may open up again.

“Sympathisers from our neighboring country, Niger, helped us fished out two bodies from their river.”

Areas badly affected include Tundun Takari, Dan Tudu, Unguwar kwakwa and Unguwar Mai Kwari.