Vacate flood-prone areas, SEMA urges Bauchi residents

The Director General of the Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency, Mas’ud Aliyu, has urged residents living in flood-prone areas to vacate their homes due to heightened flood threats.

He made this statement in an exclusive interview with a PUNCH correspondent on Wednesday.

Aliyu said, “Those residing in flood-prone areas and regions with a history of flooding should take the precaution of vacating their homes.”

He added, “So far, four people have been confirmed dead due to the recent floods that have affected communities in Shira, Giade, and Katagum Local Government Areas of Bauchi State.”

According to Aliyu, Giade, Katagum, and Shira Local Government Areas have been the most severely impacted by the floods.

He explained that in these three local governments, extensive farmlands have been submerged by the floodwaters.

“The flood has destroyed many homes. In Giade, there have been no reported fatalities, but farms, livestock, and other domestic assets have been lost,” Aliyu said.

“In Shira, there has been damage to homes and the loss of three lives. In Katagum Local Government Area, both farmlands and homes have been destroyed, and one individual has been reported dead,” he continued.

He noted that the fatalities were due to building collapses and the floodwaters submerging the deceased.

In response to the devastating floods and prolonged dry spells affecting various parts of the state, the Bauchi State Agricultural Development Program has urged farmers to remain resilient, stressing that the current farming season still holds potential.

The programme manager of the agency, Malam Akilu Abdulkarim, made this appeal while speaking with our correspondent, highlighting the challenges posed by climate uncertainties and flooding in the state.