Flood destroys cemetery, school in Kaduna community
Recent flood in Kaduna State, specifically affecting the Chikaji community in the Sabon Gari Local Government Area, has caused significant destruction and displacement among residents.
The flood occurred on a Monday following torrential rainfall that lasted approximately seven hours, from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This extreme weather event resulted in over 200 houses being affected, with many properties and valuables washed away.
Impact
The flood’s impact has been severe, leading to the washing away of parts of the LEA Primary School and a substantial portion of the Hayin Ojo Cemetery.
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Many graves were left exposed due to the flooding, which has raised concerns within the community about both respect for the deceased and the need for immediate action to address these challenges. Fortunately, there were no reported fatalities during this incident, which is a relief amidst such devastation.
Community response
In response to this disaster, residents have urgently appealed for assistance from government agencies and philanthropists. The village head, Auwal Sani-Danbaba, expressed frustration over the lack of support received from governmental bodies at both national and local levels despite the severity of the situation. He emphasized that many victims are currently sheltering with relatives or less affected neighbors as they seek help to rebuild their lives.
Additionally, Suleiman Liman, Chief Imam of Chikaji Central Mosque, announced an emergency meeting aimed at addressing immediate challenges faced by those affected by the flood. This meeting is intended to mobilize resources and support for both victims and efforts to restore dignity to those impacted by damage to burial sites.
Government intervention
There has been a call for urgent intervention from relevant authorities such as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to provide necessary aid to flood victims. The Speaker of the House of Representatives also lamented over this tragic incident and urged prompt action from governmental bodies.
NEMA had earlier warned residents of some areas to vacate to safer places; a warning which some failed to adhere to.
The areas NEMA warned about include Abubakar Kigo road, Barnawa, Kudenda, Karatudu, Narayi, Sabon Tasha, among others.
According to the emergency officials, those areas were prone to flooding as a result of drainages being blocked with refuse, and people building structures along water channels.
