Rainstorm wreaks 50 houses, farmlands in Plateau, Niger
Severe rainstorms swept through the Shimankar District in Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State and Kafin Koro, Paikoro Local Government Area, on Sunday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
According to eyewitnesses, at least 50 houses, including schools and worship centres, were destroyed in the Menkaat community.
In Niger State, an early morning rainfall on Sunday ripped through farmĺands in Kafin Koro, Paikoro Local Government Area of the state.
A resident of Menkaat community, Lawrence Longwwlk, told PUNCH Metro in Jos that the devastating storm, which occurred early Sunday morning, blew off roofs and caused several buildings to collapse.
He added that residents of the affected area are in dire need of assistance, with two primary schools and a worship centre destroyed.
“We’ve been hit seriously by this rainstorm. At least, 50 houses have been affected.
“Two primary schools and a worship centre in Shimankar were completely blown down by the rainstorm.
From the level of damage, the people need urgent help,” Longwalk said, echoing the sentiments of the community, who are calling for intervention from relevant authorities.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of communities in Plateau State to natural disasters, particularly during the rainy season.
The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, Sunday Abdu, was not immediately available when contacted on the incident by our correspondent but a staff member of the agency who did not want her name mentioned said the agency was aware of the havoc wreaked by rainstorm in Shendam and that they were making plans to visit the affected community for possible assistance.
Meanwhile, the Sunday flood submerged several farmlands in some communities in Niger State, running into several millions of naira.
It also affected 18 communities in Lapai Local Government Area of the state, where some farmlands were affected and many others at the risk of being swept away.
Some of the affected communities include Dere, Eshi, Apataku, Tsakanabi, Kuchi Kakanda, Arah, Achiba, Rebba, Ebwa, Pele, Edda, Rigido, Gbami, Yawa, Baka, and Muye.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the Niger State Governor on Communication, Media and Strategy, Jonathan Vatsa, appealed to communities in the affected areas to immediately relocate to a safer place to avoid further disaster.
(PUNCH)
