By Aliyu Usman
A heavy rainstorm, accompanied by strong winds, has caused widespread destruction in Daki Gari town, located in the Suru Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The storm, which occurred on Wednesday, led to the destruction of numerous houses, though the exact number of affected buildings has not yet been confirmed.
A resident of Daki Gari, Umar Wali, described the storm’s impact, stating, “Yes, we had a heavy windstorm with rain that damaged rooftops, collapsed buildings, and injured women and children.” Umar confirmed that at least two women suffered fractures, while several children are currently receiving treatment at a local health facility for injuries sustained when walls of their houses collapsed during the storm.
While Umar could not confirm if the Kebbi State Government is aware of the incident, he confirmed that the Executive Chairman of Suru Local Government, Alhaji Muhammad Lawal Suru, visited Daki Gari to provide first aid relief materials. This visit was made before the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) conducted a stock-taking of the affected areas. SEMA is expected to follow up with relief packages to aid the victims.
It’s worth noting that Kebbi State is among the six states in Nigeria that have experienced heavy rains this year. The Federal Government had issued a warning to these states, urging them to take necessary precautions and implement flood defense mechanisms to prevent further damage.
