A devastating windstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall has destroyed several houses and displaced scores of residents in Turbangida village, Danani Ward of Bursari Local Government Area of Yobe State.

The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, left many families homeless after roofs were blown off buildings while trees uprooted by the storm destroyed houses, shops and other property.

A resident, Mustapha Bukar, told Daily Trust that the windstorm lasted for about 40 minutes, causing extensive destruction across the community.

“Alhamdulillah, there has been no report of loss of lives so far, but many properties, including livestock, were destroyed after trees fell on houses during the storm,” he said.

Turbangida village, located about 18 kilometres from the headquarters of Bursari Local Government Area, is now grappling with the aftermath as affected families struggle to rebuild their homes and livelihoods.

Another resident, Modu Adamu, appealed to the Yobe State Government and humanitarian organisations to provide urgent relief materials to victims.

“We have lost our houses, shops and means of livelihood. More than 25 people have been rendered homeless by the heavy rainfall and strong winds that affected several parts of our community.

“We are appealing to the government and humanitarian organisations to come to our aid with food and other essential items. This disaster has left many of us with nothing and forced us to depend on the kindness of others,” he said.

The latest Incident comes amid a surge in weather-related disasters across Yobe State.

The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA) recently disclosed that no fewer than 25,012 people have been affected by windstorms and heavy rainfall across the state since the onset of the 2026 rainy season.

The agency’s Director of Search and Rescue Operations, Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim Jalo, said the disasters, recorded between May 8 and July 13, affected 6,683 households in 13 of the state’s 17 local government areas.

According to him, seven people lost their lives, 209 sustained injuries, while 17,101 shelters and rooms were either damaged or destroyed.

He added that 67 households, comprising 257 persons, were displaced by the disasters.

The affected local government areas include Bade, Bursari, Damaturu, Fika, Gujba, Gulani, Jakusko, Karasuwa, Machina, Nguru, Tarmuwa, Yunusari and Yusufari.

Jalo said the latest wave of heavy rainfall and windstorms between July 3 and July 13 alone affected 5,105 households, representing 16,907 people.

He noted that Bade Local Government Area recorded one of the worst incidents after heavy rainfall and strong winds inundated Gashua and neighbouring communities, affecting 1,321 households, damaging 2,553 shelters and rooms, injuring 35 people and claiming two lives.

The agency also reported that 21 public facilities, including schools, hospitals, primary healthcare centres, markets, places of worship, telecommunications infrastructure and government buildings, sustained varying degrees of damage during the period.

Environmental experts have attributed the increasing frequency of severe windstorms and delayed rainfall in the North-East to climate change and widespread deforestation.

The Programme Manager of the North East Arid Zone Development Programme (NEAZDP), Dr. Mulima Idi Mato, said indiscriminate tree felling has contributed significantly to environmental degradation and changing weather patterns.

He observed that while rainfall traditionally commenced between June 16 and June 20, many farmers were yet to complete planting as July drew to a close because of delayed rains.

Mato warned against the continued destruction of indigenous trees such as tamarind and baobab, particularly around the River Yobe, saying the practice threatens the ecosystem and could worsen desertification.

He urged governments In the North-East to intensify afforestation campaigns, strengthen public awareness on environmental protection and promote alternative sources of household energy to reduce dependence on firewood. (Daily Trust)

Update news