Kaduna in the throes of floods

Kaduna metropolis suffered another round of flooding following heavy rainfall in most parts of the state for over six hours last week.
ABDULRAHEEM AODU reports that the floods caused destruction of houses and properties, with five youths missing in Millennium City, as well as leaving several farmlands submerged
Floods ravages Kaduna Floods ravaged several communities in Kaduna metropolis and its environs last week, causing destruction of houses, properties, farmlands and crops worth millions of naira.
The flood, which has almost become an annual occurrence for settlements and locations close to the banks of River Kaduna that crisscrossed the state, followed a heavy downpour last week Thursday and Friday that lasted for several hours in the state.
The rain, which fell between 5pm and 11pm heavily on Thursday in most parts of Kaduna metropolis, continued with intermittent drizzle in the night, following that up with another downpour Friday evening, and caused River Kaduna to overflow it’s banks in several places, while pools of water formed in other areas with poor drainages, as the saturated soil could barely absorb more water.
The flood affected several communities such as, Kawo Bridge underpass that was completely flooded, Ungwa Romi, Abubakar Kigo Road, Barnawa, Kudenda, Karatudu, Narayi, Ungwa Rimi, Gonin Gora, and Millennium City villages of Danhonu II, where it destroyed four houses, Baban Saura, whose bridge was flooded, and Danbushia, where five youths have been missing since Friday, among others.
Residents flee The development forced hundreds of residents to flee from their homes and take shelter with friends and relations, while many others lost their houses, household goods and property to the surging rain water.
Five youth missing in Danbushia Five teenagers have been declared missing in Danbushia, one of the Millennium City villages in Chikun local government area without any trace following the flood.
The youths age ranges from 14-year-old and above.
They were diving into the River Kaduna as sports and swimming back to come and dive again only to discover that five of the many swimmers showing their diving skills are missing.
Their bodies are yet to be found four days after.
Emergency alerts failed The incident followed flood alerts issued by the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Kaduna state Environmental Protection Authority (KEPA) to residents especially those residing along the Kaduna River banks.
KEPA in the alert said it “wishes to notify communities along River Kaduna to maintain vigilance tonight (Thursday) and the next couple of hours as rainstorms are highly probable.
The River Kaduna has already overflown it’s banks at different locations.” The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had also previously warned residents of many of the affected areas to vacate their homes and seek refuge in safer higher places; a warning which many failed to listen to.
When Blueprint correspondent went round some of the affected areas, he met residents packing their belongings to higher safer places while others were lamenting their situation.
Residents lament Most of the residents who spoke with our correspondent, noted that they have nowhere to go.
Mr Emmanuel Habila of Danhonu II on Millennium City said he had to work under the torrential rainfall to create pathway for the water as it was threatening the wall of his house.
“I had to work under the rain to divert the path of the water away from my house, otherwise it would have affected my house.” Mr Femi Adi, an online Publisher, who had his house flooded in Kudenda area of Kaduna metropolis said he had to move his family away from the house to a safer place.
“I have to move my children and wife to my family house in Barnawa area where it is flood free.
However, I am calling on all relevant authorities to come to my aid so that I can replace what I have lost to the devastating flood and raise higher fence against future occurence,” he said.
Mrs Esther Bulus a resident of Ungwar Romi one of the worst hit areas, said “local government officials came about four days ago to give us number that we should call them if there is any incident of flooding.
We have been calling them since yesterday and they are yet to come here.
“They said we should be watching if the water is coming close to the house we should leave the house.
But where do they want us to go? We have nowhere to go.” NEMA distributes relief materials to victims The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced distribution of relief materials to Kaduna residents affected by flood.
NEMA Director General, Engr.
Mustapha Maihaja sent a team to take a tour of the affected areas in Ungwa Romi, Karatudu, Gonin Gora and Kigo road New Extension, to see things first hand, before directing that immediate relief materials be extended to assuage the sufferings of the victims.
The DG, who was represented by the NEMA Director Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Akugbe Iyamu (retd), said, “we have been monitoring the rise in water level around Kaduna and we were not too comfortable with the situation, that is why the DG has to dispatch this high level team to come and do an assessment and also commence this aspect of relief to those affected.
“We went round and saw the pathetic situation and that is what necessitated the distribution of relief materials.
We saw the damage done and the situation those people are in.
So we are giving out what we feel is important to the people at this moment, blankets, mattresses, cement, detergents, corn, rice immediate needs that will make them comfortable now.” Speaking on the cost of the items, he said, “we are not looking at the value of anything now, we are only interested in giving succour to those in need.
What I can tell you is that the DG is sparing no amount, he just wants to make sure that these people are given a sense of belonging and a level of decency before we consider any other thing.” Kaduna govt to take measures against floods Speaking shortly after receiving the items from NEMA for onward distribution, the Executive Secretary of Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA), Mr Ben Kure, who went round with the NEMA team, promised that government will soon take measures against those building and living along the Kaduna River and waterways.
Kure said, “We appreciate the quick response from the DG NEMA and we have received the gesture on behalf of the Governor of Kaduna state.
Going forward adequate measures will be put in place to make sure this does not happen again, and also to reduce the damage to the barest minimum.
“We are also appealing to the people especially those living by the water ways to begin to think of what next to avoid this kind of situation.
It doesn’t work well to be running away and coming back, a permanent decision should be taken, because no amount of money that cannot be spent to secure life.
It is important that people listen to this appeal.
“Certain measures are also going to be enforced as regards locating homes near the river or on waterways, because we are a government that cares about the people”.