Nigeria: Victims Count Losses As Flood Ravages Gombe

Nigeria: Victims Count Losses As Flood Ravages Gombe Like other states in Nigeria, Gombe has also been hit by flood and windstorms that accompanied most rainfalls this year. There is reminiscence in Gombe State. The year has reminded Gombe people of an unprecedented natural disaster that struck the state especially Gombe metropolis in 2004. Called Gombe Tsunami, the tsunami claimed several lives, destroyed several houses, submerged farmlands just as economic and domestic animals went with the phenomenon. Regrettably, eight years after the destructions, the state has again witnessed a barrage of misfortunes consequent upon rampaging flood that followed this year’s rainfalls. Worst hit are Yelmatu Deba, Balanga, Dukku and Gombe Local Government Areas. In Gombe Local Government, about 13 areas were affected: Federal Low Cost, Kundulum, Nasssarawo, Kakagawa, Herowa Gana, Dawaki, Jekadafari, Tudun Wada and others. At the last count, Gombe, has recorded 14 deaths according to the official records. But analysts chide the number, arguing that the number of deaths has exceeded 14. Similarly, over 90 houses have

been destroyed, more than 500 families displaced, several farmlands submerged while several domestic animals have been killed. Recently, a camp was opened at Lawanti Primary School in Akko Local Government Area where over 70 households who are mainly victims of flood rated incidences from wuru village are currently taking shelter. The people have been there since September 15 rainfalls that wrecked havoc on the community. The same rainfall also affected the people of Angwa Yelwa in Kwadon in Yelmatu Deba local Government Area, a suburb of Gombe metropolis. The disaster destroyed over 40 houses just as it killed many live stocks. continued