Hundreds of residents of Dangamau community in Kusada Local Government Area of Katsina State have been displaced after a devastating windstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall destroyed more than 200 houses, shops and other property worth millions of naira.
The incident, which occurred during the week, left several families homeless and disrupted economic activities in the community.
Reacting to the disaster, Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, expressed sympathy with the affected residents, describing the destruction as painful and unfortunate.
The governor, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, assured the victims that the state government would provide the necessary support to help them recover from the disaster.
Radda directed relevant government agencies to assess the extent of the damage and commence emergency intervention measures, including the provision of relief materials and other forms of assistance to affected households.
He said food, shelter and other basic necessities would be provided to the displaced residents, while urging them to remain calm and cooperate with emergency response officials.
The governor also prayed for the safety of residents and called for divine protection against similar disasters across the state.
The latest incident comes amid other weather-related disasters recorded in Katsina State during the current rainy season.
A week earlier, two brothers, 12-year-old Muhammad Salisu and seven-year-old Abdurrahman Salisu, died after they were swept away by floodwaters in Janbango community in Katsina metropolis.
The children were reportedly returning from an Islamiyya school when heavy rainfall and strong winds caused flooding in the area.
The tragedy has renewed calls by residents for the government to address inadequate drainage infrastructure and implement stronger flood-control measures to prevent further loss of lives and property during the rainy season.
Residents said flooding has repeatedly affected the community, with runoff from surrounding areas converging on Janbango during heavy rainfall, causing flooding and erosion.
They urged the Katsina State Government and relevant agencies to urgently construct adequate drainage channels and introduce lasting measures to protect communities vulnerable to flooding and other weather-related disasters.
