Gov Aminu Bello Masari 

Rainstorms have destroyed 3,813 houses in 13 local government areas of Katsina State this year, the State’s Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has said.


SEMA’s spokesperson, Mr Umar Muhammad, told newsmen  on Monday in Katsina that the storms also killed five persons in the affected areas.


He explained that the storms killed three of the five victims in Kankara Local Government Area, and the other two in Mai’adua Local Government Area.


“In Kankara Local Government Area, 176 houses were destroyed; 125 houses were destroyed in Danja Local Government Area and 86 were destroyed in Kankia Local Government Area.


“In Katsina Local Government Area, 620 houses were destroyed; in Musawa Local Government Area, 482 houses were destroyed while 361 were destroyed in Batagarawa Local Government Area.


“In Kusada Local Government Area, 311 houses were destroyed; in Sabuwa Local Government Area, 111 houses were destroyed, while Zango Local Government Area lost 105 houses,’’ he said.


Muhammad added that 443 houses were lost in Batsari Local Government Area while Funtua, Safana and Ingawa Local Government Areas lost 258 houses, 581 houses and 154 houses respectively.


He listed five other areas where rainstorms wreaked havoc to include Mashi, Mani, Mai’adua, Dandume and Matazu.


“The state government is doing everything possible to prevent further flooding and has set up a committee to work toward preventing the outbreak of cholera in affected communities,’’ Muhammed said.


The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) presented seven trucks of relief materials to Katsina State on Sept. 1 for distribution to the affected areas.


The relief materials, food items, clothing and building materials were presented by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq.