Two children are feared dead and several residents hospitalised after a heavy downpour caused flooding and building collapses in Gandun Sarki community, Malam Madori Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
The rain, which lasted for more than an hour on Thursday night, reportedly destroyed more than 20 houses in the community, while several other buildings were submerged or surrounded by floodwater.
Residents said the downpour affected parts of the Hadejia Senatorial District, leaving families displaced and farmlands damaged.
According to eyewitnesses, the rain began late at night when many residents were already asleep, making it difficult for some families to escape from collapsing buildings and rising floodwaters.
A resident, Sama’ila, said his two children, aged five and eight, were trapped when a room in their house collapsed.
“My two children, aged 5 and 8, died in the incident. Other female members of the family were rushed to Hadejia General Hospital,” he said.
He added that the injured family members were receiving treatment at the hospital.
The incident has left several families without shelter, with residents appealing to the state government and emergency management authorities for immediate assistance.
One of the affected residents, Sani Abubakar, said his entire house was destroyed by the flood.
“We have lost everything. Government should please help us with shelter and relief materials,” Abubakar appealed.
The community leader, Malam Jamilu Bulama, confirmed the extent of the destruction, saying efforts were underway to document the victims and affected households.
“I had ordered my aides to compile a full list of those affected in Gandun Sarki and nearby areas,” Bulama said.
“The names of all victims will be documented and forwarded to the appropriate authorities,” he added.
Bulama said the damage could have been more extensive but for drainage systems and culverts constructed by the state government in the area last year.
“Those structures helped channel some of the water and reduced the impact in parts of the community,” he said.
Despite the destruction, the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency had yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of Friday evening.
The Hadejia Zonal Public Relations Officer, Musa Muhammad, however, confirmed the incident and said the agency was monitoring the situation.
“The incident happened in Gandun Sarki, Malam Madori LGA during Thursday’s heavy rain. We are aware of the casualties and damage to houses,” Muhammad said.
He added that the zonal office was assessing the situation and monitoring developments in the affected community.
The flooding has renewed concerns about the vulnerability of communities located around waterways and areas with inadequate drainage systems in Jigawa State.
Jigawa has experienced recurring flooding during the rainy season, particularly in communities located along rivers and other waterways.
Heavy rainfall, blocked drainage channels and indiscriminate dumping of waste into waterways have often worsened the impact of flooding, causing water to overflow into residential areas.
The destruction of homes and farmlands also threatens the livelihoods of residents who depend largely on agriculture and livestock for their income.
For residents of Gandun Sarki, the immediate concern is the safety of displaced families and the provision of shelter, food, medical care and other relief materials.
The affected community is also expected to require an assessment of damaged buildings to determine whether they remain safe for occupation as floodwaters recede.
West Trybe reports that the incident highlights the recurring flood risks faced by communities across Jigawa during the rainy season, underscoring the need for improved drainage systems, proper maintenance of waterways and rapid emergency response to protect lives and property.
