By Destiny Obinna
No fewer than 1,020 residents have been affected and 278 shelters damaged after a flash flood swept through six communities and an Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, camp in Damaturu Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, disclosed this in a flash flood incident report released yesterday by its Director of Search and Rescue Operations, Dr. M.I. Jalo.
The agency said the incident, triggered by heavy rainfall on September 2, affected 143 households across Lawanti Gana, Bulama Gremari, Kokari IDP Camp, Fulatari, Tsohuwar Kasuwa and Bulama Adam.
Kokari IDP Camp recorded the highest number of people affected, with 232 residents from 48 households impacted and 63 shelters damaged.
Lawanti Gana recorded 249 affected residents from 30 households, with 68 shelters damaged, while Bulama Gremari had 149 people from 18 households affected and 41 shelters damaged.
Fulatari recorded 141 affected residents from 17 households and 38 damaged shelters, while Tsohuwar Kasuwa had 133 people from 16 households affected and 36 shelters damaged.
Bulama Adam recorded 116 affected residents from 14 households, with 32 shelters damaged.
Despite the scale of the damage, SEMA said no deaths or injuries were recorded.
Jalo said: “No deaths or injuries were recorded, and no public buildings were reported damaged.”
He, however, said the agency was prioritising the Kokari IDP Camp and families considered most vulnerable as emergency response efforts continued.
“Yobe SEMA is actively coordinating with line MDAs and key partners to deliver immediate assistance, prioritising the Kokari IDP Camp and the most vulnerable families,” Jalo said.
The agency urged residents to remain alert to further rainfall and relocate to higher ground if water levels rise.
SEMA also warned residents against entering flooded areas or contaminated waterways, while advising affected communities to boil or treat drinking water and maintain regular handwashing to reduce the risk of water-borne diseases.
Residents were urged to report additional damage, missing persons and urgent humanitarian needs, including food, water, shelter materials and medical support, to SEMA, the LGA Emergency Desk or the nearest officials.
The agency further advised residents to keep valuables and important documents in dry and elevated locations where possible and cooperate with assessment and relief teams.
SEMA said it would issue further updates as the emergency response continues.
