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Rainstorm has killed people and destroyed public and individual properties worth millions of naira in Bauchi State Saturday night, Press Gallery reports.
The rainstorm which started late evening was accompanied by a strong wind, leading to the death of three people in Tirwun, on the outskirt of Bauchi metropolis.
Those who died, it was learnt, included a 10-year old girl Nana who was said to have taken shelter behind a wall that fell on her, killing her instantly.
Others who died in the area according to the residents were Kamal and Babangida popularly known as ‘Alhaji Diop’.
Electric power distribution poles have also been brought down in many areas of the metropolis. Trees were also either uprooted or had their branches broken and were strewn on major roads in the metropolis.
One of the public institutions most affected by the rainstorm was the Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic (ATAP). According to reports, many buildings including offices, lecture theatres and other structures had their roofs blown off by the strong wind which accompanied the rain.
At Railway Quarters in Bauchi, about 27-year old train wagons were shifted along the rail and blocked a major road linking it with Gudun and other areas.
It was gathered that many motorists were forced to take alternative routes to reach their destinations. The wagons were later separated to allow people to pass.
Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar visited most of the areas affected by the incident.
The governor who was accompanied by Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Sulaimanu Adamu and some members of his cabinet visited Miri, Railway, Tirwun, Bakin Kura, Kobi Street and other places to sympathise with the victims.
He commiserated with the victims saying that the state government would assess the situation and take the necessary measures through its relevant agencies.
Governor Abubakar was said to be out of town when the incident occurred and had to cut short his trip to assess the situation. In the same vein, wife of the governor, Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed Abubakar, sympathised with the people of the state affected by the rainstorm.
Mrs Abubakar, in a statement by her Press Secretary, Rashida Yusuf, commiserated with the victims over the incident, which resulted in the destruction of many homes, farms, schools, and other public amenities.
She called on various government agencies and well spirited individuals to help provide immediate relief to the affected communities.
She further stressed the need for residents of the state capital and the state at large to pay more attention to protection of lives and property in their neighbourhood.
Hajiya Abubakar also urged members of the public to desist from dumping refuse in waterways and drainages that could hinder easy passage of water in order to prevent flooding and erosion.
Speaking to journalists, the Bauchi State Communication Coordinator of Red Cross Society, Hajiya Asma’u Tijjani Umar, said the level of devastation was alarming.
She said the Red Cross swung into action immediately after the incident to give assistance to the affected people and communities in the state capital.
She called on the affected people to give out information to relevant organisations to enable them to compile the losses incurred in the disaster.
