Tag: Rainstorm

President Buhari Visits Katsina To Condole With Rainstorm Victims

PHOTOS: Supporters Storm Streets As Buhari Visits Katsina
President Muhammadu Buhari with the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Usman, and Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, during his visit to the state on June 29, 2018.

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in Katsina State to commiserate with the victims and families of those affected by the rainstorm.

He was received by Governor Aminu Masari and his deputy, as well as other members of his cabinet and senior government officials in the state.

PHOTOS: Supporters Storm Streets As Buhari Visits Katsina

The people of the state also trooped out to welcome the President in the best tradition of ‘Peace and Heritage’ which the state is famed for.

Shortly after his arrival in the state capital, President Buhari visited the palace of the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Usman.

The rainstorm which occurred a fortnight ago caused serious damage to some communities in Mashi and Musawa Local Government Areas (LGAs), as well as Yana village in Charanchi LGA of the state.

Shinkafi, Ambassador Quarters, Kukar Gesa, Tsillitori, Modoji Makera, and the Mobile Police Barracks were also affected by the downpour.

The President’s condolence visit to his home-state is the third in nine days after visiting Bauchi on Thursday last week over the windstorm and market fire.

He had consequently visited Plateau over the attack by suspected herdsmen where no fewer than 100 persons were killed.

In Plateau, President Buhari met with the traditional rulers, religious leaders, representatives of youth, women and trade union groups among other stakeholders in the state.

He had also appealed to them and Nigerians, in general, to live in peace with one another and avoid inflammatory utterances that can promote conflicts.

Meanwhile, the President is expected to depart Abuja for an official visit to Nouakchott, Mauritania, on Saturday.

He will be attending the 31st Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

On the margins of the summit, President Buhari will join other African leaders in an interactive session with President Emmanuel Macron of France on ‘Financing AU-led Peace Support Operations authorised by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Rainstorm Destroys High Tension Poles In Port Harcourt

Falling power poleAbout 96 high tension poles belonging to Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) were destroyed by heavy wind, during the downpour that occurred on Tuesday evening in Port Harcourt.

As a result of the damaged poles with other associated materials such as 150mm aluminum conductor spanning over 32,000 metres, several cross arms, among others were also destroyed.

A cross section of Port Harcourt metropolis has been thrown into darkness.

In the wake of the loss, five 33kv and four 11kv feeders namely; Borikiri 33kv, Rainbow 33kv, Choba 33kv, Rumuolumeni 33kv and UST 33kv were affected.

Others affected are 11kv in Rumuomoi, Federal, Wokoma and Water lines.

The Chief Executive officer of PHED, Mr Jay McCoskey, reacting to the natural disaster that culminated to the loss of supply to the affected areas, appealed to the residents to exercise patience while the damaged poles are being replaced.

rainstrom-in-port-harcourt
One person was killed in earlier storm on Monday

He assured the residents that the management would do everything possible to ensure early restoration of power supply.

“It is regrettable that PHED is facing such a loss at this moment due to natural disaster, but I can guarantee that supply will be restored to the affected areas because we have started sourcing for the materials to replace the damaged poles and other accessories,”  McCoskey said.

Thunderstorm Kills One In Port Harcourt

The rainstorm came a day after a heavy rain with thunderstorm in Port-Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State,  brought down at least two masts, destroying bill boards and some roofs in Ikoku Mile 1 community.

A 16-year-old girl, who was said to be with her mother, was killed.

While two others, including the coach of the Community Football team were left with broken skulls and are currently battling for survival at the hospital.

Rainstorm Destroys Houses in Omu Aran, Oke Ero Communities

Nearly 60 houses have been destroyed in Omu Aran and Egosi Ile communities, Kwara state by a rainstorm which lasted for 45 minutes leading to the massive loss of properties and government structures.

The residents of Omu Aran, Irepodun local government and Egosi Ile in Oke Ero local government of Kwara state have lamented the destruction of their homes and loss of properties which was caused a rainstorm.

The rainstorm which lasted for 45 minutes affected the palace of the immediate past and the private residence of the reigning Olomu of Omu Aran. The oldest clinic, churches, and houses of two widows were also not spared.

The storm also uprooted electric cables, trees and damaged walls.

At Egosi Ile in Oke Ero local government, a 10 minute drive from Omu Aran, the roofs of nearly 20 houses were blown off on the same day.

Most of the houses had their roofs shattered and thrown several meters away from their houses.

The victims said that no lives were lost and have started the reconstruction and renovation of affected buildings; while the aged and the poor have called on the government to come to their aid.

The traditional ruler who was visibly shaken by the unfortunate incident said that great efforts would be needed to resettle most of the victims who are poor.

The state government has however assured that it will address the situation after assessing the extent of the damages.

Osun To Assist Rainstorm Victims

The General Manager, Osun state Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) , Oyetunde Oyesiji has assured victims whose properties were affected by the rainstorm of the government’s readiness to help cushion the effect. 

Speaking to Channels Television in Osogbo, the state capital, Mr. Oyesiji said the effect of the storm is not entirely surprising going by the prediction of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) as regards the heavy rainfall to be expected this year.

He appealed to the people to cooperate with the Urban Renewal Structure of the state by upgrading all old structures.

He also disclosed that the state government in preparation for the rains has drudged about 120KM’s of rivers and gutters that may cause flooding in and across the state.

The SEMA boss also assured that having done an assessment of the damage caused by the rain, the state government will in line with its people friendly policies help to cushion the effect on the affected residents.

Ibadan Plunged Into Darkness As Storm Damages Powerlines

Not less than 20 communities in the capital of Oyo state, Ibadan, have been plunged into darkness following a 3-hour rainstorm that destroyed several Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) installations in the city, living some persons dead and many others injured and homeless.

The rainstorm which started around 11pm Sunday night and lasted about 3hours , caused monumental damage to homes, schools, markets, places of worship, and other business premises.

Several power lines installed by PHCN were also destroyed leaving about 20 communities without power in the ancient city.

The Assistant General Manager Public Affairs Ibadan Distribution Company, Mr. Jide Oyenuga, confirmed that areas like Apata , Mokola, Felele have been plunged into darkness as a result of the rainstorm and disclosed that inventory is still being taken for other affected areas within the city.

Some of the other areas affected include Felele, Eyin Grammar, Sanyo, Bashorun , Apata, Mokola, Ring Road, Olomi, Idi Ayunre, Molete, Oke Ado etc.

Residents who spoke to Channels Television explained that the whirlwind which preceded the rain started suddenly and lasted only 20 minutes before the rains came in torrents.

At one of the affected local government areas, the transition chairman of Oluyole local government, Honourable Ayodeji Abass Alesinloye sued for calm among residents and called on the federal and state governments to assist the displaced.

Though the magnitude of the storm is yet to determined, it has been described by many as the fiercest yet, as it hauled almost everything within its trajectory for 20 minutes and ushered in rain that poured for 3 hours unabated.

The Oyo state capital has in the last two years recorded massive flooding that has destroyed property and displaced a number of people.

 

Rainstorm Wreaks Havoc In Owo

The Residents of the ancient town of Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State are presently counting their losses as a result of the havoc done by heavy rainstorms in the town on Monday night that left the roofs of over 200 houses blown off and several properties destroyed.

Some of the residents who spoke with Channels Television’s Correspondent narrated that the slight showers, accompanied by strong storms that wreaked the havoc started at about 7:30 in the evening and lasted for about an hour.

Electricity supply to the town has been disrupted as about 25 electric poles were destroyed by the heavy rainstorms.

Buildings affected by the storms include several residential houses, schools, hospitals, restaurants and shops.

Speaking to Newsmen after assessing the extent of damage done by the rainstorms, a member of the Ondo State House of Assembly representing Owo Constituency 1, Ayo Arowele expressed his sympathy to the victims of the storm and promised them that the state government will assist them in re- constructing their houses.