Windstorm destroys 100 houses, injures 7 in Jigawa

Over 100 houses and property worth millions of naira were destroyed by a windstorm which ravaged some communities in Dutse local government area of Jigawa state.
Two village heads, Ado Musa and Baffa Shehu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse yesterday that the windstorm, which occurred on May 3, wreaked havoc on the neighbourhoods. Musa, who is the village head of Warwade community, said the windstorm destroyed about 27 houses in Sayasaya, a village under Warwade, and blew off the roofs of some schools and mosques.
He added that the windstorm had rendered about 30 families homeless, while destroying several local silos containing assorted foodstuff . “Each year, we experience cyclone, windstorm or rainstorm at the beginning, middle or end of every rainy season but the storms have not been as damaging as the recent one. “
This time around, the windstorm is so heavy that it completely brought down some houses and blew up roofs of schools, mosques and clinics. “Over 20 villages are affected by the disaster but the worst-hit is Sayasaya where between 30 and 35 households are affected. No death was recorded in the incident; however, seven persons were injured by roofing sheets that were blown off by the wind. “Some of the victims had multiple fractures in different parts of their bodies and were taken to Dutse General Hospital for treatment.
At least, the value of what the people lost in Sayasaya is about N5 million and some of the affected families are currently taking refuge in the village primary school,” he said. Also speaking, Shehu, the village head of Jidawa community, said the windstorm destroyed over 80 houses in his domain. He said that the windstorm which lasted for close to an hour, destroyed several fences and blew off the roofs of houses, schools, mosques and a clinic. “The rainstorm began around 5.30 p.m. and lasted for about an hour. “At least, 80 houses were affected and we thank God it did not injure or kill anyone here but it caused a lot of damage in Sayasaya and Warwade villages that are close to us. “The windstorm could have destroyed the whole area if it continued for more than an hour; in fact we have never experienced such a severe windstorm before.
“It was accompanied by heavy rainfall and we started planting crops the following day because of the level of rainfall the previous day.” When contacted, the Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Sani Yusuf, confirmed the incident. “I am sending my staff right now to conduct an assessment of the level of damage caused by the windstorm. We would have intervened since but there have been some delays, but I assure you that within a couple of days, we will surely assist them,” he said.