Katsina Rain: Death Toll Increases To 49

Katsina DownPour (Nigeria News)

Emergency Service Reports 49 Deaths, 20 Persons Missing From Katsina Downpour.

Death toll resulting from a heavy downpour in Katsina, close to Nigeria’s border with Niger has risen to 49, while 20 others have been reported missing.

After the Katsina State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) yesterday confirmed more than twenty persons killed in a ravaging flood that swept through five villages in Jibia Local Government Area of the state, it has today, told Nigeria News that “We have recovered 49 dead bodies from the five villages and we are still searching for 20 others,” he added.

According to the head of SEMA, Aminu Waziri,  “Twenty-four of the victims were washed away by to Mada Rumfa and Kantumi villages in neighbouring Niger.

“Some of the victims were pulled from the rubble of their collapsed homes,” More than 2,000 people displaced by the flooding were sheltering in primary schools in Jibia, while 27 injured had been taken to hospital.

“The state government has released relief materials for the affected persons and we have also asked for intervention from the national emergency management agency.” He added.

Meanwhile, Governor Aminu Bello Masari, who visited the communities yesterday afternoon, broke down in tears,  as he observed the level of damage and the quantum of lives lost to the flood.

The SEMA boss said two bodies of the victims were recovered in a river at the neighbouring Niger Republic.

The District Head of Jibia, Alhaji Rabe Rabi’u, who had earlier spoken on the incident noted that, “over 260 cows, sheep and goats were killed by the flood. The rainfall started around 11 pm on Sunday night and stopped by 1 am this morning (Monday).”