One Dead, 15 injured, 800 structures destroyed as windstorm hits Nasarawa

A windstorm in Nasarawa State has killed one person, injured others, and destroyed 800 structures across four local government areas of the state.

The windstorm which occurred between Tuesday and Sunday left about 15 persons injured. The series of squalls passed over several communities in Awe, Doma, and Keffi local government areas, causing havoc.

Some of the structures destroyed include houses, schools, worship centres, and electric poles.

On Wednesday, residents of the affected communities woke up to the devastation owing to the intense windstorm.

But the Aloshi community in Keana Local Government Area is among the worst hit. A resident and representative of the community Sanusi Hassan said the rain and windstorm though lasted less than an hour ripped apart a large portion of the community.

“When it is about to rain, the cloud used to be dark but yesterday it was exceptional. The cloud was brownish, few minutes, we began to experience a wind blowing gradually, and in five to 10 minutes, it intensified. Before we could realise, we started seeing zinc and trees being uprooted and roofs being taken off by the wind,” Sanusi said.

‘Will Of God’
Several economic trees were uprooted, rooftops pulled off, many houses were reduced to rubble, and schools and other public infrastructure were destroyed with worship centres and electric poles not spared.

The traditional ruler of the community Mohammed Agye said about 400 structures were affected by the gusty wind as he sought the government’s support.

“It is a will of God. God has never made a mistake. Our mission now is to call on the federal, state, and local governments to come to our aid so that our people can repair what is damaged,” he said.

Despite the damage, Aloshi residents are not deterred. They were spotted continuing with their businesses by holding their regular Wednesday market day.

Others were also seen rebuilding their houses while they stayed hopeful of some relief.

The windstorm was equally devastating in Keffi Local Government Area.

The Deputy Chairman of the local government area Vincent Anazaku said that the incident occurred on Sunday, destroying one-third of electric poles and prompting a blackout in the past three days.

He said about 100 structures comprising personal houses, public infrastructures, and shops were affected.

In Awe LGA, 200 structures were destroyed, while over 100 houses were damaged by the fiery wind in Doma Local Government Area.

Govt Assessing Incident

Following the incident, the state government said it is assessing the quantum of the destruction and will provide immediate relief.

“We are here for an assessment and afterward we will be able to key into what is necessary to be done for the communities and we are hoping that the Federal Government under NEMA will come in and make this a quick speed,” the Commissioner for Special Duties on Humanitarian Services Margaret Elayo said when she visited the Aloshi community.

An estimate revealed that thousands of individuals have been rendered homeless and properties worth millions destroyed in the natural occurrence that ravaged the communities almost simultaneously.

Source: CHANNELS TV