A devastating flood has displaced more than 1,000 residents and claimed the lives of two children in Kafanchan and surrounding villages within Jema’a Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.
Christy Usman, the vice-chairwoman of Jema’a LGA, disclosed this information during a visit by the Kaduna State Impact Assessment Committee on Flood to the affected communities in southern Kaduna on Monday.
She reported that the flood, which affected parts of Kafanchan town as well as the Jagindi, Atuku, Aso, and Bade wards, also destroyed farmlands, washing away crops valued at millions of naira.
“The flood has severely impacted the economy of Jema’a LGA, but we are grateful that Governor Uba Sani responded swiftly by sending a committee, led by the chief of staff, Malam Sani Liman Kila, to assess the damage,” Ms. Usman stated.
She expressed hope that relief and compensation would soon reach the victims, particularly the displaced residents and those who lost their farms.
“Tragically, two children were swept away by the flood from a canal in Kafanchan,” she added.
Sani Liman Kila, chairman of the assessment committee and the chief of staff, after touring the affected areas in Sanga, Jema’a, and Kachia LGAs, stressed the urgent need for assistance. He pointed out that thousands of residents were in desperate need of immediate relief.
He also noted that the flood had destroyed a bridge in Agom, Sanga LGA, cutting off five communities and causing houses to collapse in Nandu.
Mr. Kila expressed concern over the recurring floods in Kafanchan, which have worsened over the years, revealing that a deep gully had formed and required immediate attention.
The committee identified several factors contributing to the flooding, including narrow bridges, illegal structures on waterways, and the indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
Mr. Kila assured the public that his team would present their findings and recommendations to the governor. He also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to support ongoing efforts to provide relief to the victims.
One of the flood victims, Murtala Muhammad, from Kindaza Road in Kafanchan, lamented that flooding had become an annual problem in the area. He warned that the buildup of refuse posed a health risk, particularly to children, and urged the government to take swift action to clear the waste and prevent future disasters.
