…River at full capacity
No fewer than 545 households have been displaced after two days of torrential rainfall, with 171 houses also damaged across communities in Kaduna-North local government area of Kaduna State.
Heavy rainfall over the past two days may have contributed to the flood surge. Recall that on Tuesday, the Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA), Usman Mazadu, on Tuesday in Kaduna, said the agency led a joint assessment of the affected areas to determine the scale of destruction and coordinate emergency response.
In an issued statement, he explained that the rain, which fell between September 4 and 5, forced responders to move from evaluation to urgent evacuation in some communities, as floodwaters submerged homes and property.
According to him, the multi-agency team included the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Christian Aid, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Red Cross, and the Kaduna State Fire and Public Safety Agency.
He said Kigo Road community was the worst-hit, where 69 buildings and 276 households were flooded, adding that a private nursery and primary school, Merits Kids Academic School, was also affected.
Mazadu added that in Rafin Guza, an overflowing river submerged several buildings, while other communities impacted included: Shooting Range, Kabala Costain; Bashama Road, Tudun-Wada; Ungwan Rimi, where a connecting bridge to Libreville Road was washed over; and Malali G.R.A.
He stressed that the assessment was crucial in guiding government intervention.
Meanwhile, amidst ongoing river dredging embarked upon by the State government, flood had cut-off access to street on Kigo Road in the metropolis.
Earlier yesterday, newsmen visited Kigo Road, located off Constitution Road, for on-the-spot assessment, whereby it was observed that severe flooding has cut off access to an entire street.
According to the relevant authorities , residents in riverine areas are advised to vacate immediately.
