By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Dutse
Hundreds of residents of Dangamau community in Kusada Local Government Area of Katsina State have been displaced after a devastating windstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall destroyed more than 200 houses and several shops on Wednesday night.
The storm ripped off rooftops, collapsed buildings and swept away household property, food items, farm produce and other valuables worth millions of naira. A visit to the community on Thursday showed victims searching through the rubble of their homes, while many families sought refuge with relatives and neighbours after losing their shelter.
Residents described the incident as the worst natural disaster to hit the community in over five decades. One of the victims, Alhaji Mati Dangamau, appealed to the federal, Katsina State and Kusada Local Government authorities, as well as well-meaning Nigerians, to provide urgent relief, saying the disaster had compounded the hardship already faced by residents. He blamed poor drainage and indiscriminate refuse dumping for worsening the flooding.
The Katsina State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), led by its Executive Secretary, Hajiya Binta Dangani, visited the affected community on Thursday to assess the destruction. She sympathised with the victims and assured them that the state government would provide assistance after completing its assessment.
Dangani noted that Kusada was not among the local government areas previously identified as highly vulnerable to flooding but said the incident highlighted the need for communities to remain prepared for disasters. She urged residents to maintain proper environmental sanitation, keep drainage channels clear and avoid building on waterways.
Chairman of Kusada Local Government, Sani Aminu, pledged to strengthen environmental sanitation campaigns and work with relevant agencies to support affected families. The displaced residents, meanwhile, appealed for emergency relief materials, temporary shelter and financial assistance to enable them rebuild their homes and livelihoods.
