The Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Abdullahi Abdullahi, revealed on Thursday that the 2023 flood disaster in the state resulted in three fatalities and 22 injuries.
The disaster in Gombe also led to the deaths of seven animals and the destruction of 1,838 houses and 257 farmlands between May and October 2023.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Abdullahi revealed that eight out of the 11 local government areas of the state experienced the flood disaster, contrary to the three LGAs predicted in the 2023 Flood Outlook.
The worst-hit areas were Akko, Funakaye, Balanga, Gombe, Nafada, Kaltungo, Shongom, and Yamaltu/Deba.
The secretary explained that the rains, accompanied by strong windstorms, ravaged farmlands, causing significant damage to the farmers in the affected communities. In response, the government distributed relief materials to the victims of the disaster to alleviate their suffering.
Abdullahi stated, “Governor Inuwa Yahaya has approved relief materials for some communities affected. We have also submitted reports of flooding in the remaining communities, and efforts are on to also provide relief materials to them.”
The agency has reached out to the National Emergency Management Agency and the North East Development Commission to facilitate support for the victims.
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Abdullahi noted a decrease in the number of lives lost this year, attributing this to effective sensitisation activities.
“Upon receiving a flood alert from NiMet (Nigerian Meteorological Agency) and NASA, Governor Yahaya directed massive sensitisation as well as the activation of emergency response to mitigate the impact of the flood disaster. This helped in creating awareness amongst residents of the state,” he added.
While commending the state government for supporting the victims of the flood, Abdullahi appealed to those yet to be reached to exercise patience.
He assured, “The state government and other relevant agencies are aware of your plight and making efforts to assist you, and I assure you that as soon as we receive the materials, we will reach out to the affected communities.”