BY Abdallah el-Kurebe

From the beginning of rainy season till this time of  the year, windstorm and flood have caused havoc to communities in seven local governments of Sokoto state. At the early stage of the season, windstorm struck at Dogon Daji village in Tambuwal, Gudurega village in Yabo, Goronyo and neigbouring villages in Goronyo, Sakwai and Tangaza villages in Tangaza local government areas of the state.

Flood struck Tsitse and Karangiya villages in Gada local government; Giyawa and Goronyo villages in Goronyo local government, Sakwai and Tangaza in Tangaza local government, Gandi and Maikujera Villages in Rabah local government and some villages in Silame local government.

According to the Director General of Sokoto state Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Mallam Hassan Maccido, “It is fortunate that the Federal government undertook the rehabilitation of Goronyo and Lugu Dams. The magnitude of the flood disaster would have been more than what happened.” ”Unlike last year when rain water overran both dams, the rehabilitation of the spillways reduced the water force for which minimal destruction was recorded,” Maccido told Vanguard.

He disclosed that houses and farmlands of communities in the local governments were destroyed and relief materials worth N47 million was provided for the victims of windstorm and flood disasters.