Three people died and 5,403 displaced following a windstorm accompanied by a heavy downpour in Jigawa State.

The Executive Secretary, Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Hannafi Yakubu, confirmed the development 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.

Mr Yakubu said the agency compiled the data of casualties and property 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 distributed relief items to the affected persons to ease their sufferings.

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

He said, “Disaster management 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.”

(NAN)