By MUHAMMAD NASIR BASHIR

Three people have died and 5,403 others affected, following a windstorm accompanied by heavy downpour in Jigawa.

Mr Hannafi Yakubu, Executive Secretary, Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), confirmed the death to journalists in Dutse on Wednesday.

He said the disaster affected 120 communities across 13 local government areas of the state, affecting 47 public schools, three health facilities and two police stations.

Yakubu said the agency compiled the data of casualties and properties affected by the disaster from the onset of the rainy season to date.

He listed the affected LGAs to include Dutse; Gwaram, Birnin Kudu, Kiyawa, Babura, Gumel, Kaugama, Ringim, Gagarawa, Kirikasamma, Suletankarkar, Miga and Buji.

The secretary said the state government had distributed relief items to the affected persons to assuage their sufferings.

While urging philanthropists, wealthy individuals, corporate organisations and donor agencies to assist the victims, Hannafi reiterated the government’s commitment to protect vulnerable communities through proactive emergency response initiatives.

“Disaster is for everyone, so all must assist to arrest the situation.

“SEMA, with support from the state government, is ready to assist victims whenever disaster strikes,” he said. (NAN)