Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Kano State Government has confirmed that five persons lost their lives in a devastating rainstorm that struck Bichi Local Government Area on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, correcting earlier media reports that had placed the death toll at eight. The Executive Secretary of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (KASEMA), Alhaji Isyaku Kubarachi, made the clarification during a telephone interview with PUNCH on Thursday, July 30, 2026, stating that the accurate figure was established following a comprehensive assessment of the affected community.
"Five persons lost their lives in Bichi as a result of the rainstorm, not eight as erroneously reported by some media outlets," Kubarachi said. He explained that officials of the agency visited the affected community to assess the extent of the damage before confirming the casualty figure. "It was during the assessment visit that we were able to ascertain the actual number of casualties, houses and properties destroyed during the incident," he added.
The rainstorm, which struck Bichi on July 22, destroyed several houses and other valuable property estimated to be worth millions of naira. The disaster left widespread destruction in its wake, with several houses either destroyed or severely damaged. Many residents were displaced, increasing concerns over the impact of extreme weather during the peak of the rainy season. Although the agency did not immediately release a detailed breakdown of the number of buildings affected or the monetary value of the losses, Kubarachi said the assessment covered casualties, damaged houses and destroyed property, providing the basis for the report submitted to the state government.
Kubarachi disclosed that the agency had completed its assessment and submitted a comprehensive report to the state government to facilitate immediate intervention for the victims. "We have forwarded our report to the state government. As soon as we receive relief materials, it will be distributed to the affected persons as usual," the executive secretary said. With the agency's report now before the state government, affected residents are awaiting the distribution of relief materials. KASEMA has assured that assistance will commence immediately after the government releases the required relief supplies, with the intervention expected to provide immediate support to families whose homes and livelihoods were affected by the storm.
Meanwhile, the Kano State House of Assembly has called on the state government to urgently provide relief materials to affected residents to cushion the impact of the disaster. The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Bichi Constituency, Lawan Shehu, during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Jibril Falgore, on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. Moving the motion, Shehu informed the House that the rainstorm wreaked havoc across several communities. He disclosed that the member representing Bichi Federal Constituency had provided N2 million to each bereaved family, while victims who lost both relatives and property received N10 million as intervention.
Following deliberations, lawmakers unanimously adopted the motion and urged the state government to expedite action in delivering relief to the victims. The Assembly's resolution reinforces calls for a swift response following the completion of KASEMA's assessment. As of Friday, July 31, 2026, the state government had not publicly announced the release of relief materials, but affected residents remain hopeful that assistance will arrive soon to help them rebuild their lives after the devastating storm.
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