One of the houses destroyed by flood
By HARUNA AHMED, Gombe –
Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has revealed that a staggering 171 houses were destroyed in the state due to flooding and windstorms over a two-month period.
The devastating impact of the disaster has left many families homeless and vulnerable.
Executive Secretary of SEMA, Mr. Haruna Abdullahi, who disclosed this to newsmen in Gombe, emphasized on the need for residents to take responsibility for their environment.
“We are appealing to residents and communities to take the issue of the environment seriously by clearing blocked drainage and avoiding indiscriminate dumping of waste,” he said.
“Instead, use the waste collection centres built by the state government for waste disposal”.
Abdullahi assured that SEMA is planning to provide relief materials to the victims of the flood.
He also urged parents to be vigilant and monitor their children’s movement during the rains, citing reports of children drowning during flooding.
The SEMA boss highlighted the importance of tree planting in combating desertification.
“We urge residents to stop cutting down trees and instead use the opportunity of the wet season to plant more trees in their communities.
“Trees planted around houses can help reduce the strength of the wind and its impact on those houses”, he said.
