Rainstorm kills 4, destroys 300 house in Bauchi, Zamfara

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau & Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

No fewer than four people were killed while 300 houses, including a Friday mosque, were destroyed by fierce rainstorm at the weekend in Bauchi and Zamfara states.

In Zamfara state, a fierce windstorm, which was followed by heavy rain last Saturday in Barakallahu, Gusau metropolis, rendered 200 families homeless.

Investigation by our correspondent showed that it was a war-like evening around the displaced Barakallahu area, when the powerful wind expelled the inhabitants, making them run helter-skelter into various directions while dodging flying roofing sheets and other building materials which had turned into weapons.

The incident was reported to have claimed the lives of four children, who could not help themselves out of their homes as a result of collapsed buildings. Also, properties worth millions of naira across the area were said to have been destroyed.

According to the Ward Head, Malam Abubakar Bawa, three out of the four children killed were kids of a policeman identified as Sergeant Ibrahim Ruwan Doruwa. They include a six-year old daughter, while others were between three and four years old.

Bawa further narrated that, another child whose fleeing parents thought was at an Islamic school nearby during the windstorm, later discovered his body under wreckages.

The Ward head revealed that, officials from the Zamfara Emergency Management Agency (ZEMA), had already swung into action to assess the damage before coming up with the final report on the extent of damage.

“The ZEMA has already started counting the number of the affected houses but said would take a break for today (yesterday) leaving behind the impression to continue tomorrow (today). Though they did not reveal their preliminary findings, I was made to understand that no fewer than 200 houses were badly affected”, Bawa stressed.

Our correspondent learnt that, some displaced residents of the ravaged area were until yesterday evening stranded, and desperately looking for where to take refuge.

Also narrating their ordeal, the Chief Imam of the affected Friday mosque, Malam Habib Jibril said, a rough estimate showed that not less than N6 million will be required to renovate the mosque.

Meanwhile, not less than 100 houses were also destroyed by rainstorm in Zadawa village in Misau local government area of Bauchi state.

The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the local government area, Ibrahim Waziri Zadawa, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Bauchi at the weekend.

He said his council had contacted the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), whose officials, he said, were on their way to assess the damage with a view to assisting the victims.

A community leader, Yau Zadawa confirmed that over 100 houses were destroyed during the heavy downpour which was not expected by the people.

He said the affected victims are currently squatting with relatives within the community and neighbouring villages.