Two people have died in a flood that affected Malari, Pompomari, and neighbouring communities in Damaturu Local Government Area of Yobe State after a heavy downpour on Sunday, August 2. The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) confirmed the incident in a Flash Flood Incident Report.
Victims Identified
According to the report, the victims were identified as 38-year-old Isa Haruna, a security personnel attached to Mallam Matari, and 18-year-old Abba Kyari, who reportedly drowned in the Pompomari area. The agency said its Search and Rescue Team, in collaboration with the Yobe State Fire Service in Damaturu, responded to the emergency.
“Upon arrival at the scene, the victims were confirmed dead and their bodies were conveyed to the mortuary at the General Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital, Damaturu,” the report stated.
Precautionary Measures Urged
In the aftermath of the incident, SEMA urged residents to take precautionary measures against flooding, especially as schools are currently on holiday. The agency advised parents and guardians to keep children away from rivers, culverts, and other flood-prone areas, while also urging residents to avoid driving or walking through flooded roads and waterways.
It further encouraged the public to clear blocked drainage channels, pay attention to weather forecasts, move to safer, elevated locations during flooding, avoid contact with contaminated floodwater, and promptly report emergencies to the agency.
Monitoring and Damage Assessment
SEMA said it was continuing to monitor the situation, while authorities have yet to assess the full extent of property damage caused by the flood. The agency's swift response and the collaboration with the fire service highlight the ongoing risks posed by seasonal flooding in the region, which has historically affected communities in Yobe State.
