Two feared dead, dozens homeless as flood hits Jigawa community

Two feared dead, dozens homeless as flood hits Jigawa community A severe flood triggered by a prolonged downpour has left two people feared dead and dozens displaced in the Gandun Sarki community of Malam Madori Local Government Area, Jigawa State. The incident occurred late Thursday night, when heavy rainfall lasting over an hour caused widespread damage, including the collapse of multiple buildings and the submersion of numerous homes. Community members reported that the sudden deluge caught many residents unprepared, leading to chaos and loss. Eyewitnesses described how the rain began around midnight and intensified rapidly, causing structural failures in the area. A residential building in Gandun Sarki reportedly collapsed during the early hours, trapping its occupants. Mr Sama’ila, the father of the deceased, informed journalists that his two children, aged five and eight, perished in the incident. Several women from his household were taken to Hadejia General Hospital for medical attention. He stated that the injured are still being treated at the facility. Other residents shared harrowing accounts of the flood's impact. Sani Abubakar, one of the affected individuals, recounted losing his entire home to the waters. He expressed frustration over the lack of immediate assistance, urging the Jigawa State Government to provide emergency shelter and relief supplies. “We have lost everything. Government should please help us with shelter and relief materials,” he said. Community leaders confirmed the severity of the situation. Malam Jamilu Bulama, the local community leader, revealed that efforts were underway to document the number of affected individuals and forward the information to relevant authorities. He noted that while the damage was extensive, the presence of drainage systems and culverts constructed by the state government last year mitigated some of the worst effects. “Those structures helped channel some of the water and reduced the impact in parts of the community,” he explained. Despite the devastation, official responses remained limited. As of Friday evening, the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, had not released any formal statement regarding the incident. However, the Hadejia Zonal Public Relations Officer, Musa Muhammad, confirmed the occurrence to reporters. “The incident happened in Gandun Sarki, Malam Madori LGA during Thursday’s heavy rain. We are aware of the casualties and damage to houses,” he said, adding that the zonal office was actively monitoring the situation. The flooding follows a pattern common to Jigawa State, where heavy rains frequently lead to catastrophic consequences. Background reports indicate that the region experiences similar flooding nearly every rainy season. Many towns and villages situated along waterways are particularly vulnerable due to inadequate infrastructure and environmental neglect. In several communities, improperly disposed waste has further obstructed water channels, exacerbating the risk of flooding during intense rainfall periods. Local officials and residents alike have called for urgent intervention to address the underlying causes of such disasters. With ongoing challenges related to urban planning and environmental management, the need for improved drainage systems and regular maintenance of existing infrastructure has become increasingly apparent. While immediate relief efforts continue to be sought, the long-term implications of recurring floods remain a pressing concern for the affected communities.