Tragedy in Jigawa as Flooding Claims Lives and Leaves Families Displaced

A section of the flooded area. Photo: Salisu Kabuga

Two children are feared dead and many others are in the hospital after heavy rain caused buildings to collapse and flooded the Gandun Sarki community in Malam Madori Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

The rain, which lasted over an hour last Thursday night, hit parts of Hadejia Senatorial District. It left homes and farmlands in ruins.

Reports from the area say that more than 20 houses collapsed during the rain.

Other homes were either filled with floodwater or surrounded by it, forcing families to escape.

Residents told a PUNCH correspondent on Friday that the rain fell late at night, catching many people while they slept.

Eyewitnesses said a building in Gandun Sarki fell in the early hours, trapping people inside.

Mr Sama’ila, the father of the deceased children, spoke to reporters about the tragic event. He said the room fell in while his kids were sleeping.

"My two children, aged 5 and 8, died in the incident. Other female family members were rushed to Hadejia General Hospital," he shared.

He added that the injured are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

Sani Abubakar, one of the affected residents, said the flood destroyed his entire house.

He called on the Jigawa State Government for help, saying, "We have lost everything. Government should please help us with shelter and relief materials."

Community leader Malam Jamilu Bulama confirmed the incident to newsmen on Friday. He said, "I had ordered my aides to compile a full list of those affected in Gandun Sarki and nearby areas."

"The names of all victims will be documented and forwarded to the appropriate authorities," Bulama stated.

He noted that the damage could have been worse if not for drainage systems and culverts built by the state government last year.

"Those structures helped channel some of the water and reduced the impact in parts of the community," he added.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, relevant agencies in the state had not spoken on the incident as of Friday evening.

The Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, did not release any official statement about the house collapses and flooding.

However, the Hadejia Zonal Public Relations Officer, Musa Muhammad, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Friday.

"The incident happened in Gandun Sarki, Malam Madori LGA during Thursday’s heavy rain. We are aware of the casualties and damage to houses," Muhammad said, adding that "the zonal office was monitoring the situation."

Background checks show that Jigawa faces similar flooding every rainy season. Many towns and villages near waterways, including major cities, often suffer because of poor drainage and blocked culverts.

In several communities, waste dumped carelessly blocks water channels. This worsens flooding whenever it rains heavily.