A heavy downpour has killed five people, and rendered thousands homeless in seven local government areas of Jigawa State.
The heavy downpour has also led to the flooding of many farms in the affected areas.
Reports indicated that the instant heavy rainfall also washed away federal and state roads cutting off several parts of the state.
Those who died inclued three girls between the ages of 12 and 15 in Tulla village, and a father and his son Madabe village, when a building collapsed on them, all in Buji local government area.
Thousands of families in Auyo, Buji, Gwaram, Kafin Hausa, Malam Madori, Taura and Hadejia local government areas are now seeking for alternative accommodation after their houses either collapsed or were flooded.
Among the roads affected is the portion in Malawan Babaldu linking the state with Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, Adamawa and Taraba states.
Already, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has alerted motorist flying the road to Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states to follow alternative routes.
“The major highway connecting Birnin Kudu to Malawa, Babaldu and neighboring states of Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau and leads to Adamawa, and Taraba has been completely submerged and cuts off by flood making it difficult for motorists to fly,” the corps spokesman, Badruddeen Tijjani Mahmud, said in a statement.
One of the flood victims in Hadejia, Barde Zakar said the six hours rainfall has left many homeless in four areas of the town.
“A heavy downpour of over six hours destroyed over 200 houses at Garko,Tudun Wada, Abuja Amare and Kandahar in Hadejia.
“The destruction was as a result of over flooding of Garko pond that submerged the affected areas,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Jigawa state gubernatorial candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023 general election, Alhaji Mustapha Sule Lamido has called for urgent support for the victims.
Lamido in a post via his Facebook page, expressed concern over the loss of lives, domestic and farms.
“We were shocked with the reports of loss of lives as canoe capsize, children drown and buildings collapse in addition to unquantified wealth and farm products lost as a result of the recent flood.
“We are extending our condolences to the families and relatives of those who lost their lives and sympathize with the victims that lost their houses, wealth and farm products at Kalgwai, Nahuce, Bulangu, Gantsa, Yayari, Marita Hadejia town, Madabe and Gwadayi in Auyo, Taura, Kafin Hausa, Hadejia and Buji local government areas.
“Going by the annual occurrence the disaster and worsening of the situation, the problem in Jigawa state is above temporary measures and solutions. There is necessary and urgent need for the authorities to come up with permanent environmental solution on the floods and river flows to save lives and property of the people,” Lamido added.
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