By Bose Adelaja

No fewer than 8,000 people who reside in South West parts of the country, have been rendered homeless by wind and rainstorms which ravaged the areas within a space of two months.

Of the figure, over 5,000 people were affected by both wind and rainstorm disasters in Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Oyo states which took place between February and March 2014.

Also, about 3000 were said to be displaced, while 600 houses were destroyed when rainstorm sacked some parts of the country on Sunday April 13. Affected communities include Idogo Community near Ilaro in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Also, as a result of penultimate Sunday’s rainstorm, no fewer than 500 pupils are likely to be stranded during the next academic season as the windstorm had affected three schools in the community.

Speaking with Vanguard Metro on phone, officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, which conducted an ‘’on the spot accessment’’ of the affected communities, said about 55 houses were destroyed, while about 527 people were affected at Ipake Community of the LGA.

NEMA South-West Information Officer, Ibrahim Farinloye, said the vulnerable victims have been given attention by both state and Federal governments which provided food and other items to cushion the effect.

Cushioning the effect

As regards the affected schools, the Information Officer said alternative study centres will be provided before resumption in two weeks time. Meanwhile, the Agency has advised Nigerians to embark “on tree planting as precautionary measures to wind and rainstorm. ‘’

This, according to the Agency, serves as breakers against the devastating effects of climate related disasters that are daily evolving in the society. Other safety measures, he said, are avoiding taking refuge under make-shift structures as well as sending children on errand during odd hours. ‘’States and local governments should embark on extensive awareness campaigns against the new phase of evolving disaster in d country,’’ he added.