TAIWO FAROTIMI
The devastating rainstorm recorded in Bauchi State over the weekend left grief and sorrow on its trail. Three people died, including a young girl said to have been crushed by a collapsed walk where she took shelter from the rain. Apart from that, the rainstorm damaged properties and disrupted economic activities in the state capital. Electric distribution has been hampered because poles were felled in many areas.
Places affected include Miri, Railway, Tirwun, Bakin Kura and Kobi Street. The damage affects public and private properties, including Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, ATAP where building roofs were either blown off or lecture rooms damaged. At the Railway quarters, some old coaches were lifted from the track and landed on the road linking the area with Gudun, thus forcing motorists to use alternative routes.
Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar who was outside the state when the incident occurred had to cut short his trip. He has since visited the affected places accompanied by the emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Sulaimanu Adamu and members of his cabinet. Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the Federal House of Representatives has also in a statement commiserated with affected families.
Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed Abubakar, wife of the state governor also sympathized with the people , while admonishing them to desist from dumping refuse in the drains and waterways. In a statement by Rashida Yusuf, her press secretary, Mrs Abubakar implored all relevant government agencies to rise up quickly to the aid of the affected communities.
