From Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi
Three people have died as floods ravaged communities in Shira, Giade and Katagum Local Government Areas of Bauchi State.
The Bauchi State Government delegation led by the Secretary to the Government, Ibrahim Muhammed Kashim, has visited Katagum Local Government area, one of the afffected local Government areas, to commiserate with the affected communities and to give them relief materials to ease their sufferings.
The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Katagum, Musa Azare said “Sabon Gari village, outskirts of Azare town, along Azare-Jama’are Federal Highway, Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State” were badly affected by the floods.
“The Villages have been completely submerged. There is no single household that was not affected. We have however successfully evacuated everybody from the village to a nearby government quarters, with the magnanimous approval of His Excellency, Senator Bala AbdulKadir Mohammed, CON, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State.
“And the happiest thing is that there is no single life lost in the tragic floods. We are still assessing the damage done by the floods to property. Katagum Local Government is working with State and National Emergency Management Agencies in that regard. I want to use this medium to express my deepest gratitude to His Excellency Senator Bala Mohammed for sending 900 bags of varieties of grains; rice 300 bags, sorghum 300 bags, maize 300 bags; 250 mattresses and blankets to provide succour to the victims.
“Similarly, I want to appreciate His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr. Umar Farouk II, OON, the Emir of Katagum for donating the sum of Two Million Naira to cater for the immediate needs of the displaced victims. We as a Local Government have also donated the sum of One Million Naira to the victims.”
The Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Mas’ud Aliyu, said it was reported to them that three people died in Shira Local Government area, and thousands of people were rendered homeless without means of livelihood.
This, he said, include farmlands, some roads cut off as a result of the floods that submerged the areas.
He said assessment was ongoing across the three local government areas, adding that
Giade -Isawa was cut off.
He acknowledged the relief materials presented by the state government to alleviate the suffering of the victims, and to provide them with essential items needed to survive the disaster.
Barrister Kashim urged the victims to take heart and understand that what had happened to them was an act of God.
He advised them to always abide by the warning of Nigeria Metrological Agency, NIMET, about flooding alerts.
The Caretaker council Chairmen of the Shira and Giade Local Government areas highlighted the devastating impact of the flood, agreeing that 
“The flood has washed away entire villages, which forced the communities to seek for temporary resettlement centers,” and expressed gratitude to Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed whose swift response demonstrated commitment to the welfare of citizens.
