Downpour destroys houses, farmlands in Katsina

Heavy downpour has destroyed over 100 houses and a number of farmlands in Bara village of Baure council area of Katsina State.

The rains, which fell intermittently from Friday night till Saturday morning, however did not claim a single life but a few others sustained injuries from the debris and fallen walls.

A resident nevertheless disclosed that dozens of domestic animals died while large areas of farmlands were affected by the downpour.

He also said hundreds of displaced families were currently occupying public places as others are squatting with friends and relatives.

The resident recalled that a similar destruction had occurred in the past but pointed out that it was not as devastating as the latest.

He regretted that a good percentage of the affected locations was along the waterways that lacked good drainage systems.

Confirming the incident, the council’s Information Officer, Nasiru Inusa, stated that more than 150 homes were claimed by the rains.

He said the caretaker head of the council area, Umaru Ibrahim, had visited and sympathised with the victims, adding that the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) was already aware of the incident.

Inusa added that the assessment of the damage was being done with a view to assisting the victims.

The incident is coming few weeks after a similar downpour killed more than 52 persons and destroyed over 500 homes in Jibia council area of the state.

The earlier disaster saw Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo and other prominent Nigerians visit to commiserate with victims and the state government.