Two persons have been confirmed dead, while over 50 houses were destroyed following a devastating rainstorm that struck Dokan Mai-Jama’a in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Alhaji Hamisu Tukur, the Village Head of the community who confirmed the incident, said the storm displaced several residents and caused widespread destruction.
Tukur stated on Tuesday that more than 50 houses were severely affected, with many completely flattened by the impact of the windstorm.
Residents revealed that the heavy rainfall, which was accompanied by strong winds, began at about 6:41 p.m. on Monday and lasted for over 40 minutes.
Our correspondent’s visit to the town revealed that many families had been left homeless as victims scrambled to recover their possessions from the debris of demolished homes.
Some buildings were reduced to ruins, while others had their roofs blown off, leaving people vulnerable to harsh weather.
Affected individuals were spotted frantically trying to find temporary shelter for their families.
The victims petitioned the Kaduna State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency, and the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency for immediate assistance.
In a related occurrence, the rainstorm caused havoc in the Sabon Gyero village of Millennium City, which is also part of the Chikun Local Government Area, destroying more than ten perimeter fences and damaging several residences.
According to eyewitnesses, the rainfall disrupted traffic after a major road was shut, forcing motorists to seek alternate routes.
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency has sent a team to the affected town to inspect the damage and determine the appropriate response.
Rainstorms and wind-related disasters are widespread throughout the rainy season in northern Nigeria, frequently resulting in fatalities and property damage.
In recent years, other villages in Kaduna State have had similar catastrophes, with poorly constructed houses and flimsy roofing structures regularly exacerbating the effects of high winds.
Emergency organizations, notably the National Emergency Management Agency and the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency, have frequently asked communities to follow safe building standards and pay attention to early weather warnings issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has also predicted increasing rainfall intensity in many parts of the country this year, raising fears about the possibility of more severe weather and flooding.
