Rainstorm Kills Six, Injures Five, Destroys Over 583 Houses in Katsina 

By Francis Sardauna in Katsina
 

A heavy downpour in Katsina State has claimed no fewer than six lives, injured five and destroyed over 583 houses, schools and administrative structures in eight communities within Katsina metropolis on Thursday night. 

The downpour which started at about 5:30 pm on Friday lasted for about one and half hours, rendered thousands of residents homeless. 

The affected communities are Kukar-Gesa, Shinkafi ward A and B in Modoji village, Ambassadors’ Quarters, Makera, Company, and Kambarawa. 

Meanwhile as at press time, victims of the windstorm were squatting with their friends and relatives in some communities, as government was yet to provide relief materials or temporary camps for them.

The Executive Secretary of Katsina State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. Aminu Waziri, told journalists in Katsina on Fridaythat the heavy downpour was accompanied by a windstorm that blew off the roofs of many houses in the affected villages. 

“In Kukar-Gesa 100 houses were affected, Shinkafi Ward A and B 150 houses were destroyed, Ambassadors’ Quarters 70 houses were also affected, while at Makera village 40 houses, Company 30 houses and Kambarawa Quarters 100 houses were completely destroyed by the rainstorm. 

“Other places affected by the heavy downpour are army barracks and the Nigerian Air Force base, where a total number of 53 houses including the administrative block of the Nigerian Air Force nursery and primary schools were damaged,” Wazir said. 

The Katsina SEMA secretary assured that necessary measures would be taken by the state government in no distant time to alleviate the suffering of victims in the affected villages.