Flood affects 3 LGAs in Kano – SEMA

The Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has said that no fewer than three local government areas have so far experienced flood in the state.

However,the three local government areas so far affected by flood are,Sumaila, Kibiya and Tudun Wada.

It will be recalled that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) had predicted that 14 LGAs in the state are among those with high risk of flood.

Making this known, the Executive Secretary SEMA, Alhaji Isyaku Abudullahi-Kubarachi, in Kano at a debriefing meeting after a simulation exercise on communities at risk.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) had predicted that 14 LGAs in the state are among those with high risk of flood.

However,while speaking on his behalf ,the agency’s Director Planning, Research and Statistics, Umar Abdul-Aziz, listed the affected local government areas to include; Sumaila, Kibiya and Tudun Wada.

According to him,other likely LGAs are; Rimin Gado, Tofa, Kabo, Madobi, Garun Malam, Bebeji, Rano, Dawakin Kudu, Warawa, Wudil, Sumaila, Ajingi, Kura and Dala.

He stated that the agency’s team had so far visited and assessed the situation, after which a comprehensive report would be made for onward submission to the state government for relief materials.

He therefore disclosed”I can not give you the exact number of persons or houses affected until after we finish our reports,” .

After the table top simulation exercise that took place on July 17, the agency and other relevant stakeholders visited two vulnerable communities in Larabar Gadon Sarki in Warawa and Gurjiya in Dawakin Kudu local government areas of the state.he said

“These two communities are along the river bank of Tiga dam. We evaluated the situation on how to manage information that has to do with emergencies to mitigate flood.

“We sensitised the communities on how to prepare and respond to any emergency or eventuality from Tiga dam,” Abdullahi-Kubarachi said.

He further explained that the agency and stakeholders were looking into possibilities of creating an artificial dam to contain the effect of Tiga dam on vulnerable communities.

The secretary commended the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for their support in capacity building and financial assistance through collaborative efforts.

Speaking on the occasion the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Coordinator, Kano Territorial Office, Dr Nura Abdullahi, described effective waste management as key to mitigating flood especially in urban areas.

He called on the general public to desist from indiscriminate disposal of waste and advised people to avoid building on waterways.