Government Takes Action as Heavy Rainfall Floods Several Communities in Yobe
- Governor Mai Mala Buni has ordered urgent relief efforts for Yobe communities hit by flooding after heavy rainfall on August 15
- SEMA deployed field teams to assess the damage, with no casualties reported so far
- Several wards were affected, and the state pledged immediate life-saving support once assessments are complete
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has ordered immediate relief operations for communities hit by severe flooding on Friday. The directive came after reports of heavy downpours affecting multiple parts of the state in the early hours of August 15.
Mohammed Goje, Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), confirmed that emergency alerts were received as the rains intensified.
Source: Facebook
He said field teams have been deployed to assess the scale of the damage and determine the needs of affected residents.
“We have received emergency alerts on a heavy downpour in some parts of the state in the early hours of August 15. SEMA has activated its field team to assess the situation. Fortunately, no lives have been lost as of the time of the report. A detailed assessment is currently ongoing, and the government has pledged to provide life-saving support, protection, and response immediately,” Goje stated.
Yobe communities swept away by flood
Preliminary findings and spatial analysis from SEMA indicate that flooding has impacted several communities. The worst-hit areas include Old Prison, Filin Mashe, Unguwar Makafi, Unguwar Jaje Bakin Kwari, and Afghanistan wards. Other affected locations are Tsangaya, Karofi, Bayan Garejin Dan Juma, Jigawa Bayan Makarahuta, and Tandari ward.
The extent of property damage is still being determined, but many residents have reported the loss of household items, food supplies, and essential goods.
The state government has assured that affected households will receive assistance in the form of emergency shelter materials, food items, and medical supplies once the assessment is complete.
Governor Buni urged residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and cooperate with emergency responders.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritising disaster preparedness and timely interventions to protect lives and livelihoods in the state.
FG Alerts 19 states to prepare for flooding
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the federal government had predicted a heavy rainfall that would last for a period of five days and may lead to flooding in 19 states in the country and 76 locations.
This warning was disclosed in a statement by the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre of the Federal Ministry of Environment on Tuesday, August 5, asking stakeholders and residents to immediately take precautionary measures.
The warning came amid the devastating flood that struck Gombe and Ogun state on Tuesday, August 5. The disaster also affected four other states, which were Anambra, Lagos, Delta and Plateau.
The full list of the states forewarned can be accessed here.
Tinubu visits Maiduguri over flood disaster
Legit.ng earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu had visited Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, to share his sympathy and condolences with the government and people of the state over the recent flood disaster.
The president is reported to be planning an on-the-spot assessment of the effect of the flood disaster, which consumed over 80 per cent of the capital's major cities.
According to the video of his visit, Tinubu was received by Governor Babagana Zulum and other government officials in the state.
Source: Legit.ng
