A heavy midnight rainfall on Sunday has displaced scores of residents in Dankama, a community in Kaita Local Government Area of Katsina State, after floodwaters swept through homes and properties.
The downpour, which began around 3 a.m., triggered flash floods in at least six low-lying areas surrounded by ponds, known locally as Kududdufi. The torrential rain overwhelmed drainage systems and inundated homes, leaving many residents stranded and seeking shelter elsewhere.
One of the affected residents, Ishaq Sarkin-Fulani, confirmed the incident to newsmen, lamenting the extensive damage to buildings and disruption of daily life.
“People were forced out of their homes in the middle of the night. Some spent the night under the open sky, while others took refuge with neighbours and relatives in safer areas,” he said.
Sarkin-Fulani blamed the severity of the flooding on clogged drainage channels, which he said had been blocked by refuse dumped indiscriminately by some residents. He also pointed out that several existing drainages were collapsing and urgently needed repairs.
Another resident, Isma’il Namadi, revealed that the Dankama Juma’at Mosque was also affected by the floodwaters.
“This is beyond what the community can handle. We are appealing to the state government to intervene urgently to ease our suffering,” he pleaded.
Responding to the situation, the Executive Secretary of Katsina State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Binta Dangani, confirmed the flood incident. She assured that the agency was mobilising officials to assess the damage and provide necessary relief to the affected residents.
“This is a serious situation. Our team will be on the ground to conduct an immediate assessment and coordinate support,” she said.
As the rainy season intensifies, residents and environmental experts are calling for urgent action on waste disposal and drainage rehabilitation to prevent similar disasters across the state.
