The Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has reported that floodwaters have caused severe damage to a total of 2,517 houses and shops in 33 communities across the state.
Ibrahim Nalado, the Deputy Director of Relief and Rehabilitation at the agency, revealed this information during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe.
Nalado specified that the affected communities were located in Dukku, Funakaye, and Billiri Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state. These areas experienced flooding as a result of heavy rainfall between August 12 and August 22.
“In Dukku LGA, 10 communities suffered the consequences. In Funakaye LGA, 20 communities were impacted, and in Billiri LGA, three communities were affected,” Nalado stated.
The flood and accompanying windstorms primarily damaged houses and a limited number of farmlands in these communities. Thankfully, there were no casualties reported, although two children were injured in Dukku, and seven animals were swept away.
Regarding the agricultural impact, Hina community in Yamaltu/Deba LGA bore the brunt of the devastation. Approximately 1000 hectares of rice, maize, sorghum, and millet farmlands were submerged under water.
Nalado and his team conducted an assessment of the damage in Hina community on Friday, August 30. He described the aftermath of the flooding as ‘extensive and catastrophic’ due to the vast area affected.
While the affected farmers expressed concern, they accepted the situation as a natural occurrence. Nalado mentioned that data on the affected farmers were currently being gathered in Hina.
The agency has evaluated the extent of the damage and is in the process of compiling reports to be submitted to the state government and relevant authorities. Nalado emphasized that addressing the damage to farmlands in Hina would require joint efforts from both the state and Federal Government.
He urged the North East Development Commission and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assist the state government in this endeavor.
He further appealed to the affected farmers and individuals to remain patient, assuring them that government support would be provided in due course.
