Residents of Dutse, the Jigawa capital, have appealed for the government’s support after a heavy downpour and windstorm destroyed their houses and other property, leaving them helpless.

Some of the residents on Monday described the rainstorms as one of the most destructive they had experienced in recent times.

Maryam Hashim said the heavy wind that accompanied the rainfall blew off parts of her rooftop and damaged her compound fence.

She said repairing the damaged property would require considerable resources, adding that the incident was a huge setback for her family.

“The rainstorm came with strong winds, and before we knew it, part of our roof had been blown away, while sections of our fence collapsed.

“We never expected such destruction. We are still trying to come to terms with the extent of the damage,” she said.

Also speaking, Abdulkahar Lawal said the storm destroyed his entrance gate and damaged some of the plants in his home garden.

According to him, the strong winds uprooted several ornamental and fruit plants he had nurtured over the years, leaving him saddened by the losses.

“I was shocked when I came outside after the rain and saw my gate badly damaged. Some of the plants I had spent years nurturing were also destroyed,” he said.

For Tukur Malami of the Yalwawa area of Dutse and his family, it was an unforgettable experience when their home was completely destroyed by the storm.

Mr Malami said he had spent almost 15 years building the house, which was not yet complete, but they moved in because of the high cost of rent.

“We had to be accommodated by our neighbours, where we spent two days now, yet we still have no idea how to begin again,” he said.

Mr Malami appealed to the government to quickly come to their aid, as he can’t let his two wives and six children stay under the neighbour’s roof for long.

Muhammad Bello described the rainstorm as devastating, saying that several houses, particularly in the Yalwawa area of Dutse, were damaged.

He said that, apart from damaged fences and rooftops, some residents also lost household items after rainwater entered their homes.

According to him, the incident highlighted the destructive nature of heavy rainstorms experienced during the rainy season.

On his part, Hassan Sani said the storm caused extensive damage to residential buildings in parts of Dutse, leaving many residents with unexpected repair costs.

He advised homeowners to inspect and maintain their roofs, gates and fences regularly to minimise damage during periods of heavy rainfall.

Mr Sani also urged residents to take precautionary measures by securing loose roofing sheets and trimming trees around their homes before heavy rains.

The residents expressed concern over the recurring destruction caused by rainstorms, saying the incidents underscored the need for proper maintenance of residential structures and greater preparedness during the rainy season.

(NAN)