Devastating Flood in Jigawa Claims Two Young Lives, Displaces Dozens

A tragic incident unfolded in Jigawa State's Gandun Sarki community, located within the Malam Madori Local Government Area, where a ferocious downpour led to widespread flooding and structural collapses. The disaster, which struck last Thursday night for over an hour, is reported to have resulted in the deaths of two children and left numerous individuals hospitalized. The heavy rain ravaged parts of the Hadejia Senatorial District, leaving a trail of destruction across residential buildings and agricultural lands.

According to reports from the affected zone, more than twenty homes completely caved in during the intense rainfall. Additionally, a significant number of other residences were either submerged by the rising floodwaters or completely surrounded, forcing families to abandon their properties in search of safety.

Community members, speaking to a PUNCH correspondent on Friday, recounted that the rain commenced late at night, catching many residents unprepared in their sleep. Eyewitnesses detailed how a building in Gandun Sarki crumbled in the early hours of the morning, trapping its occupants. Mr. Sama’ila, identified as the father of the deceased children, confirmed to journalists that the room collapsed while his children were sleeping. He stated, "My two children, aged 5 and 8, died in the incident. Other female members of the family were rushed to Hadejia General Hospital." He further added that those injured are currently receiving medical attention.

Sani Abubakar, one of the residents severely impacted by the flood, lamented the total destruction of his home. He made an earnest appeal to the Jigawa State Government for assistance. "We have lost everything. Government should please help us with shelter and relief materials," Abubakar pleaded.

Malam Jamilu Bulama, a leader within the community, verified the occurrence to newsmen on Friday. He mentioned, "I had ordered my aides to compile a full list of those affected in Gandun Sarki and nearby areas." Bulama assured that "The names of all victims will be documented and forwarded to the appropriate authorities." He also highlighted that the damage could have been far more severe if not for the drainage systems and culverts constructed by the state government the previous year. "Those structures helped channel some of the water and reduced the impact in parts of the community," he explained.

Despite the significant scale of the calamity, state agencies tasked with emergency response had not yet released an official statement regarding the house collapses and flooding as of Friday evening. The Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) remained silent on the matter. However, Musa Muhammad, the Public Relations Officer for the Hadejia Zonal office, corroborated the incident when speaking with journalists on Friday. He confirmed, "The incident happened in Gandun Sarki, Malam Madori LGA during Thursday’s heavy rain. We are aware of the casualties and damage to houses," adding that the zonal office is actively "monitoring the situation."

Historically, Jigawa State frequently experiences similar flooding during nearly every rainy season. Many towns and villages situated along waterways, including major urban centers, are often inundated due to inadequate drainage infrastructure and obstructed culverts. In numerous communities, the indiscriminate disposal of waste contributes to blocked water channels, exacerbating the severity of flooding whenever heavy rainfall occurs.