Yendi: One dead, several injured as rainstorm destroys 40 houses

A 12-year-old girl has died while several people have sustained injuries, and more than 40 houses have been destroyed after a severe rainstorm swept through parts of the Yendi Municipality in the Northern Region.

The storm, which struck in the early hours of Wednesday, July 22, left several families displaced, with many victims forced to seek temporary shelter with relatives and friends.

The disaster also destroyed household belongings, farm produce and other properties, leaving affected residents appealing for urgent support from the government, individuals and philanthropic organisations.

A visit by Channel One News to Meindogu, a suburb of Yendi and one of the worst-affected communities, revealed the extent of the damage, with residents describing the situation as devastating.

The deceased, identified only as Asana, died after a room collapsed on her during the storm.

Her mother, Awabu Abukari, recounted the tragic incident, explaining that the family was asleep when strong winds ripped off the roof of their house before the walls eventually collapsed.

She said the family was left helpless as the storm caused extensive damage to their home, leading to the loss of her daughter.

“The rains started in the night. I was inside with the children. All of a sudden, the roof caved in, and the room fell. The wall fell on my little girl, Asana, and she died. I’ve lost my child. The whole day we’ve not eaten because we are grieving. Now we have no place to stay. We are appealing for support,” she said.

Another victim, Abukari Abu, who sustained neck injuries after the house collapsed, said he was trying to rescue his children when the building came down.

“When the rain started, the storm took off the roof of our house. I was trying to rescue the children. Suddenly, the rooms collapsed and fell on me and the children. We have nowhere to live now. We are appealing for urgent support,” he said.

The Assembly Member for the area described the situation as devastating and appealed for immediate assistance for the affected families.

Officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), who were assessing the extent of the damage, said the destruction was extensive.

They urged relatives and members of the public to provide temporary accommodation for residents who have been displaced while assessments and relief efforts continue.