11th July, 2011
Eight persons were killed and 100 families rendered homeless following heavy rainfall in Katsina metropolis on Friday.
The rainfall, which started at about 4 p.m., and lasted for three hours, caused many houses to collapse.
A NAN correspondent who went round the metropolis on Saturday reports that the areas most affected by the flood include Kofar Marusa, Sabuwar Unguwa, Kofar Marusa, Kofar Durbi, Kofar Sauri, Rafukka and Tudun Yan’lifidda.
NAN learnt that seven persons, including children died in Kofar Marusa ward, while one child drowned at Rafukka area. Alhaji Hussaini Ahmed, the Director of the State Department of Environment, confirmed the deaths when Alhaji Muntari Ibrahim, the representative of Gov. Ibrahim Shema, and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), visited Kofar Marusa.
He attributed the flood in the area to indiscriminate damping of refuse, which he said blocked the drains.
One of the victims, Alhaji Badamasi Machika, called for the enforcement of environmental laws.
In his remark, Ibrahim, who condoled with the families of the deceased, and symapthised with other victims, urged the people to desist from blocking water ways through indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
He gave assurance that the government would look into the problem and address the situation.