In the past six months, 75 people have died in 255 communities due to flooding brought on by strong winds, according to Dr. Mohammed Goje, executive secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
Goje disclosed this to reporters in Damaturu when he discussed the extent of the disaster’s damage in the state’s 17 local government areas.
He added that the flood had also washed away 10 major roads and displaced 6,592 persons in some of the worst hit areas of Bade, Karasuwa, Jakusko, Gujba, and Gulani.
According to Goje, the ravaging flood and windstorm were directly responsible for the 75 reported deaths, and many more lives were at risk in ten local government areas. Additionally, more than 200 people suffered injuries of varying severity and received free medical care.
“Those in flood-prone areas and along waterways have been the hardest hit by the floods.
“Preliminary reports and desk review indicated that, so far 92 water points and lots of WASH facilities have been affected. This is particularly of huge concern in Jakusko, Bade, Gulani, Mutai, and Geidam.
“In these and many other communities, water is not receding at all or doing so at a very slow pace,” he said.
The Executive Secretary, however, lamented that, in many of the affected communities, especially Gulani, Gujba, Tarmuwa, and Jakusko where access roads have been disconnected, delivery of life-saving support becomes difficult.
“The good news is Governor Mai Mala Buni has directed immediate reconstruction and provision of alternative routes and work has since commenced with three of the 10 roads now accessible,” Goje said.
He said SEMA, alongside other frontline ministries and agencies as well as the local volunteers, are working round the clock to assist the affected communities as directed by the state Governor.