Dutse — Consistent heavy floods have destroyed many houses in Gumel Local Government Area of Jigawa State, affecting about 113 houses, just as many farms were completely washed away.

The affected communities include Maku, Rakumi, Albasu-Yamma, Albasu-Kudu, Nasarawa and Kirgi villages among others. Many affected people have relocated to houses of friends or relatives while some are squatting in shops and garages not affected by the flood.

A victim, Mallam Harisu Adamu, told Daily Trust that all his five rooms had completely collapsed, adding, "As a result, I had to send my two wives to their families in Garki and Sule-Tankarkar Local governments because I have no room to accommodate them any more."

Adamu added that he was squatting in his friend's shop in Albasu town, noting that about 50 households in his neighbourhood were badly damaged by the flood. He said the flood was caused by heavy downpour in the area last Friday.

Another victim, Mallam Nafi'u Adamu, told Daily Trust that he lost a house of five bedrooms to the disaster and that he was currently managing in one of the rooms not affected.

He noted that apart from the House of Assembly member representing the area who donated N200, 000, victims of the disaster have not received any assistance from either the local council or the state government.

A widow, Aisha Dan-Dare, said she lost virtually all her belongings, appealing to both local and state governments to come to their aid. Dan-Dare said the disaster had seriously affected her, as she had been squatting with her grand children in the only room not affected by the flood.

District head of the area, Alhaji Ahmad Zakari Muhammad, said he had taken the matter to the local government authority and the Gumel emirate council. Zakari noted that the affected communities need assistance.