Bauchi Floods: SEMA Confirms 11 More Deaths, Bringing Total to 18

The Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has confirmed that 11 more people have lost their lives in the recent flooding that has ravaged the Bauchi North Senatorial District, increasing the death toll to 18.

The latest flooding incident hit Gadiya village in the Gamawa Local Government Area, where communities are struggling with the devastating aftermath. The disaster has left a trail of destruction, with over 200 houses destroyed and more than 300 farmlands washed away, leaving many residents stranded and without shelter.

This recent disaster follows severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall in the same district just two weeks ago, where seven people were reported dead. The continuous downpour, which lasted for three days, not only claimed human lives but also resulted in the deaths of domestic animals and the destruction of valuable farmlands and property.

Yau Umar, the village head of Gadiya, shared his concerns during a phone interview on Wednesday. He revealed that more than 100 displaced people have sought refuge in his palace, while others have found temporary shelter in local mosques and schools. Umar urgently called on the government and well-meaning individuals to provide immediate assistance to the affected villagers.

A local resident, Amina Gadiya, recounted the devastation during a phone conversation. She explained that nearly half of the village was flooded, largely because many homes were constructed with mud, making them vulnerable to the heavy rains. Amina highlighted the dire conditions the villagers are facing, with severe shortages of food, shelter, and clothing. The floods have left many without their means of livelihood, causing hunger and desperation, especially among children.

Amina also described the harrowing nights leading up to the flood, which eventually forced residents to flee their homes. She narrated how the men of the village spent long hours rescuing women, children, and those trapped in collapsed buildings, as they awaited emergency assistance, which was slow to arrive.

SEMA's Information Officer, Abdullah Saleh, confirmed the scale of the disaster in a phone interview, stating that thousands have been displaced, with their homes and farmlands completely destroyed.