The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Rainstorm

  • Rainstorm wreaks havoc in Ondo community

    Rainstorm wreaks havoc in Ondo community

    Over 50 buildings were reportedly blown off at the weekend at Emure-Ile in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State as the first rain of the year in the community was accompanied by thunderstorm.

    The worst hit areas included Odooja, Agoebira, Awolowo, Surulere, Community Road and Unaun streets.

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who visited the scenes of the incident, expressed shock at the level of devastation.

    The governor assured the residents of the ancient town that his administration would provide relief for the victims.

    Thanking God that nobody died in the incident, Akeredolu reiterated his administration’s determination to continually assist the people, especially those in distress.

    The Elemure of Emure Ile, Oba Adedubaje Adeyefa, and a youth leader in the town, Sola Ogunmolasuyi, expressed appreciation to the governor for the inspection, despite his tight schedule.

    The governor was accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ifedayo Abegunde and his Chief of Staff, Olugbenga Ale.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Sokoto assists victims of Illela rainstorm

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal has directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to deliver relief materials to victims of rainstorm at Illela, Araba, Gati and surrounding villages in Illela Local Government Area.

    The Friday rainstorm destroyed houses, livestock and farm produce. Many were rendered homeless.

    A government delegation, led by the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Usman Danmadami, visited the affected villages to commiserate with victims.

    At the palace of the District Head of Illela, Danmadami said the government will work with local authorities to rehabilitate victims.

    The delegation presented cash to victims.

    The Wakilin Sarkin Rafin Illela, Alhaji Sahabi Isa, thanked the governor for his concern and prated God to reward him.

  • One dies, 100 houses destroyed in Sokoto rainstorm

    One person died and about 100 houses were destroyed in a rainstorm that swept through 15 villages in Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State, the Chairman, Abdullahi Haruna, told reporters yesterday.

    Haruna said seven others, including a mother and her three children, were injured in the Friday disaster. Six of the seven have been discharged from the hospital.

    According to him, the council secretariat, schools and other public places were destroyed.

    “The strong wind and heavy rain started about 5pm on Friday, and lasted for 30 minutes, but the damage it caused was enormous.

    “So far, we have identified more than 100 houses destroyed. A committee has been set up to assess the extent of the damage,” Haruna said.

    The chairman attributed the extent of the damage to the use of substandard building materials.

    He directed the Works Department of the council to enforce compliance with standard building regulations forthwith.

    Haruna added that the council had contacted the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for help, and their responses were positive.

  •  Ondo rainstorm victims gets N13m relief materials

    The Ondo State Government yesterday donated relief materials worth N13 million to 50 landlords in Akure South Local Governent, the state capital, whose houses were destroyed by rainstorm in March.

    This was in fulfilment of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, promise during his earlier visit to the scene of the disaster where he vowed to bring succour to them on their losses.

    The materials distributed through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) include bags of cement, iron sheets, nails, asbestos, bags of rice, cartoons vegetable oil among others.

    Beneficiaries include, landlords at Old Stadium road, Oke-Ijebu street, Ajongbolo area, and others.

    Speaking at the event held Gani Fawehinmi Arcade Ground in Akure, Akeredolu, who was represented by his Deputy, Agboola Ajayi urged the people to stop dumping refuse inside drainage.

    He said: “There is a need for public and private sectors and civil society organisation, academic and research institutions to work more closely together and create opportunities for collaboration. I want to stress that disaster risk reduction is a joint responsibilities, we should at all times prevent all preventable within and outside our environment to enable us live a meaningful life.”

  • Rainstorm wreaks havoc in four Akwa Ibom communities

    Rainstorm which occurred on Wednesday evening has destroyed property worth million of Naira in four communities in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.

    Properties destroyed include, roof of the Ibesikpo Asutan local government legislative building, telecommunications mast, fence of the local government secretariat and about 40 shops at Nung Udoe main market among others.

    The Chairman traders association in Ibesikpo Asutan, Mr Jude Edet, said on Thursday that 75 traders were dislodged by the disaster.

    “We have lost so much to Wednesday’s night rain.

    “As at Thursday, by our inventory 75 shops were destroyed. If we want to estimate our lost, it is in millions.

    Edet said the traders are willing to pay if government will constructs a modern market facility for them and appealed to the government to provide aid to the affected traders.

    The Divisional Crime Officer in the local government, Dorathy Umoh, said the disaster posed a security threat to the local government secretariat.

    “The council is not safe. We don’t have enough security men. I have directed that some of the security men in the out-station be withdrawn to assist in beefing security at the council.

    “We call on government to come to the aid of the council,” he said.

    The chairman Ibesikpo Asutan transition committee, Mr Ilana Udofia, while inspecting affected facilities at the council and the market said destruction caused by the storm were beyond the capacity of the local government.

    “The level of destruction here runs into hundreds of million. So it is beyond our capacity.

    “Some people were injured, this is a sad period.

    “It is not just the market, private homes in other communities were affected. We have never witnessed this in the history of this local government,” he said.

    Udofia said the council would liaise with the relevant State agencies to get aid for the victims.

    The chairman commiserated with traders and indigenes of the local government affected by the incident.

    Udofia appealed to the State government to come in and give the victims relief assistance in this difficult time.

    One of the timber dealers, Usoro Usoro said 11 shops were affected at the timber market.

    Some of the traders Emmanuel Ekpo and Idongesit Nyong called on the government to come to their aid.

    They said, On Okpobo street, Nung Udoe, electric poles fell by the storm destroyed some houses.

    He said some victims of the disaster were taking refuge at a church, Christian Fellowship, Okpob, Nung Udoe.

    At Brotherhood Secondary School, Ikot Ide Akpakpan, where the storm destroyed three classroom blocks, the principal, Mrs Comfort Ime Ekpo said, “When school resumes in May, there will be no place for the students to stay.”

    She said one of the classroom blocks destroyed was a PTA project and was roofed just a week ago.

  • Woman dies as rainstorm destroys 50 houses in Edo

    A rainstorm, which blew off the roof top of a building at Imoga community in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, has killed a mother of three.

    But the identity of the deceased could not be ascertained at press time last night.

    It was learnt that the rainstorm blew off over 50 houses in the community, including the family home of the deceased.

    Several electricity poles were pulled down.

    It was gathered that the rainstorm started at 6 p.m on Saturday and lasted about 30 minutes.

    A victim, Adeloye Perry, said strong winds accompanied the rainstorm.

    He said his house was destroyed.

    Husband of the deceased, Christopher Yakubu, said his wife died instantly as the roof fell on her.

    Yakubu said: “The roof of my house was blown off by the storm. We tried to save the children and evacuate some of our property, but my wife could not come out.”

    The affected residents urged the State Emergency Management Agency to provide succour to them.

    A resident, David Yusuf said: “I am appealing to relevant authorities to come to our aid to cushion the effect of the rainstorm.

    “The rainstorm wreaked havoc on our buildings. As you can see, we no longer have a roof over our heads.

    “Some of us no longer have a place to live in.”

  • Rainstorm destroys 100 houses, renders many homeless in Ekiti

    Rainstorm destroys 100 houses, renders many homeless in Ekiti

    A rainstorm yesterday destroyed no fewer than 100 residential buildings in some towns in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti state.
    The incident, which residents said began at about 4pm, affected towns such as Odo Oro, Temidire,Oke Ijebu and Aiyedun, all in Ikole LGA.
    The first rain of the year, which lasted for only 40 minutes, also ravaged farmlands, destroying crops and other economic trees.
    Aside the houses, other property destroyed by the rainstorm included schools and church buildings.
    A branch of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Odo-Oro Ekiti and a car packed under the tree in the town were particularly badly damaged by the incident.
    Some of the victims, who managed to speak with NAN on the rainstorm, appealed to both the state and local government to come to their aid.

  • Delta Assembly seeks relief materials for victims’ of rainstorm

    Delta Assembly seeks relief materials for victims’ of rainstorm

    The Delta House of Assembly has passed a resolution, urging Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to direct the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to send relief materials to victims of rainstorm in Ekwuoma community.

    The resolution followed a motion moved by the Minority Leader, Mr Festus Okoh during the plenary session on Wednesday in Asaba.

    Okoh, who represents Ika South constituency, noted that the rainstorm which occurred at Ekwuma community in Abavo in Ika South Local Government Area destroyed crops and buildings.

    He said apart from buildings and farm crops that were destroyed by the heavy rainstorm, electricity poles were also pulled down as well as schools.

    “As I speak, no fewer than 20 persons who were injured by the rainstorm are currently undergoing treatment in various hospitals.

    “And I want to use this medium to appeal to my colleagues to support this motion because it has to do with lives and properties,’’ he said.

    The motion which was unanimously adopted was seconded by Mr Tonye Timi representing Patani constituency.

    The Delta Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Chika Ossai,  has said the state will collaborate with stakeholders to reduce the impact of flood in the state.

    Ossai told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba on Wednesday that the government in conjunction with the local government councils and other stakeholders would collaborate to improve on last year’s lapses.

    According to him, following the prediction of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency that there would be few cases of flooding across the country, “we are monitoring the state.

    “We have been putting measures in place to control it, especially now that it rains virtually every day.

    “Apart from the existing drainages, the state government is expanding drainages to ensure easy flow of water to the River Niger.

    “Along Okpanam Road in Asaba and other parts of Asaba, we are also collaborating with Oshimili South Local Government Council to improve on the drainage system in the state.

    “The Ministry of Environment has also commenced the clearing of drains and very soon government will start preparing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in some major towns of the state.

    “Already, we have a project going on and it is being constructed by the Federal Government flood committee.

    “By the Grace of God, we are working with the committee to ensure that the project is completed and put into use by our people,’’ he said.

    Ossai also said that the government had started its enlightenment campaigns on the need for those living in riverine areas to relocate to upland areas.

    “Our jingles are on air, we are using both local and social media to enlighten the people, especially those in the riverine areas to relocate to other areas.

    “In spite our warnings, most of the people in these areas, who are mostly fishermen, find it very difficult relocating to other places.

    “This is another major challenge we are facing, they hardly pull out except we apply force and right now, sensitisation is ongoing,’’ he said.

    Ossai said that one of the major challenges faced by the state in combating flooding was building of houses on waterways as well as blockade of drains.

    He said that the state was working towards enacting laws that would prohibit building on waterways.

  • Rainstorm destroys 80 houses in Oyo

    Rainstorm destroys 80 houses in Oyo

    Some residents of Ariyo Community in Ona-Ara and Oluyole local government Areas of Oyo State have been rendered homeless by a rainstorm that destroyed about 80 houses on Sunday.

    Though no life was lost, properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.

    The roofs of some houses were blown off. Vehicles were destroyed.

    The rain, which started about 4:30pm, was pouring   for more than two hours.

    The downpour resulted in a traffic gridlock, with most commuters  stranded.

    Many motorists abandoned their vehicles.

    A resident, Akin Ojebode, said property worth millions of naira were destroyed and scores of residents made homeless.

    The octogenarian said the local government chairman visited the area and advised those affected to write their names for possible help from the council.

    Adebisi Ajani (70) said: ”Around 5pm, the rain started and five minutes later, there was a flood.

    “What we need now is the dredging of the river. All I have worked for in life have been destroyed.”

    Olanisebe Kunmi, who was wailing, said a lot of damage has been caused by the flood.

    The Caretaker Chairman of Ona-Ara Local Government, Sina Adeagbo, said: “The water on the Ariyo Bridge flows from Onigbese River.

    “We have been warning our people not to dump refuse inside the river and not to construct structures on the bank but they would not listen. They will say it’s for our political gain.

    “The residents built structures beside the river bank. Many buildings, vehicles, and other properties were destroyed.

    “We just thank God that no life was lost. We shall dredge the rivers again to allow free flow of water during the rains,” he said

    On palliative measures, Adeagbo said he had advised the government to assist the victims.

  • Rainstorm renders over 60 homeless in Kwara

    Rainstorm renders over 60 homeless in Kwara

    Rainstorm which lasted several hours on Friday night had rendered over 60 families homeless and damaged property worth millions of naira in llorin East and Asa Local Government Areas of Kwara.

    The Special Adviser to Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed on Emergency and Relief Services, Alhaji Abdullahi Duro-Mohammed, disclosed this in llorin on Saturday shortly after inspecting the affected areas in the two councils.

    He said 43 residents including aged and pregnant women were affected in the llorin East Local Government Area while the remaining victims were from Asa Local Government Area.

    The affected communities in the llorin East include Adangba, Okelele and Kankatu, while communities affected in Asa Local Government Areas are Passa and Orogbangba.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the victims in the two Local Government Areas are now refugees in Mosques, public schools in the areas and neighbours not affected by the rainstorm.

    The Special Adviser told NAN after the visit to the affected communities to sympathise with the victims that the state government would provide immediate succour to alleviate their sufferings.

    Duro-Mohammed said the visit was at the instance of the State Governor, who had promised to provide succour for the victims.

    Speaking on behalf of those affected, the former Chairman of Moro Local Government, Alhaji Shuiab Baba-Jimoh commended the prompt response of the state government to the plight of the victims.

    He appealed to the state government for urgent intervention to end the sufferings of the victims.

    A cross section of the victims that spoke with NAN appealed to the state government to quickly come to their assistance.