Windstorm wreaks havoc in Zamfara, renders hundreds of residents homeless 

From Salisu Zakari Maradun, Gusau    

 The first rainfall in Zamfara in 2024 has left in its trail sorrow and agony.

Eleven days after Gusau, the capital of Zamfara state, has recorded the first rainfall of the year, a lot of damages have also made many people homeless, checks by our correspondents in the state has revealed.

The heavy downpour which lasted for about five hours also led to the submerging of a number of culverts  and other accesses in and around the city which made it impossible for businesses to continue.

Accompanied by a strong windstorm, the rainfall destroyed many houses, shops and even some domestic animals were not spared. In the process, it washed away large quantity of vegetable that was displayed in an open market before the commencement of the rain. The windstorm blew a number of houses and some kiosks that were erected by the roadside, as well as a large number of pyramids of grains, such as millet, maize and guinea corn running into millions of naira.

Most of the victims of the destruction, were of lower class of the society who are now appealing to the government of the state to come to their aid by assisting them with what to repair their destroyed houses with.

People were seen preparing a make shift, while many of them whose houses were demolished by the flood water could not have anywhere to go than to land at various government buildings such as hospital and some primary school buildings.

Alhaji Safiyanu Idris, one of the victims of the disastrous windstorm told our reporter that he had nothing left as all he had have been  washed away. “I have lost all I had”, he added with tears in his eyes. All my grains and some animals which I kept for future purpose have gone with the flood water”.

Sufiyanu also disclosed that he was ruined as even where to sleep with his family has become difficult adding that, “the only solution  is to go to the emir of Gusau to help him with  a temporary shelter before he put his own in order.

He also called on other well-to-do in the society to as a matter of fact and urgency come to the aid of the victims of the disaster.