At least four people have died and hundreds of residents have been displaced following a heavy rainstorm accompanied by strong winds that swept through communities in Kware Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The storm, which struck on Saturday, caused widespread destruction to homes, public buildings and other infrastructure across several communities, leaving many residents injured and homeless.
Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have since visited the affected areas to assess the extent of the damage and coordinate emergency response efforts.
Communities worst affected by the disaster include Mallamawa, Mai Mushe, Kaura, Sabon Gari and Rungin Tsamiya, where numerous houses were either destroyed or severely damaged by the storm.
The rainstorm also affected public infrastructure, with a primary school and a primary healthcare centre sustaining significant damage, including collapsed perimeter fences and roofs blown off by the strong winds.
Speaking on the disaster, the Head of Response, Research and Statistics at NEMA’s Sokoto Operations Office, Tukur Abubakar, confirmed that four people lost their lives while many others sustained injuries.
He said preliminary assessments indicated that hundreds of households were affected, adding that emergency officials are working to determine the full extent of the destruction and identify the immediate needs of the affected communities.
According to Abubakar, the assessment is aimed at providing accurate data that will guide the delivery of humanitarian assistance to victims.
NEMA said it is working closely with the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other relevant authorities to compile a comprehensive report on the damage.
The agency noted that the report will support the deployment of relief materials, including food, medical supplies and other essential assistance for displaced families.
Residents have been urged to remain vigilant as the rainy season continues, while local authorities appealed for support to help affected communities recover from the disaster.