12-year-old killed, dozens displaced after rainstorm devastates Yendi communities

A 12-year-old girl has died, several people have been injured, and more than 40 homes have been destroyed following a powerful rainstorm that hit parts of the Yendi Municipality in the Northern Region.

The storm, which swept through the area in the early hours of Wednesday, July 22, displaced numerous families, forcing many residents to seek temporary accommodation with relatives and friends.

In addition to destroying homes, the storm damaged household belongings, farm produce and other valuables, prompting affected residents to appeal for immediate assistance from the government, charitable organisations and the general public.

A visit to Meindogu, one of the hardest-hit communities in Yendi, revealed widespread destruction, with residents describing the disaster as overwhelming.

The deceased, identified only as Asana, lost her life after part of her family’s house collapsed during the storm.

Her mother, Awabu Abukari, said the family was asleep when strong winds ripped off the roof before the walls of the house gave way, trapping the young girl beneath the debris.

She said the family was unable to save Asana and is now mourning while also facing homelessness.

“We were sleeping when the rain started. Suddenly, the roof was blown away and the room collapsed. The wall fell on my daughter, Asana, and she died. We have not eaten all day because we are grieving, and we no longer have a place to stay. We are pleading for help,” she said.

Another resident, Abukari Abu, who sustained neck injuries, said he was attempting to rescue his children when the building collapsed.

He explained that the roof had already been blown off by the storm before the walls came crashing down on him and his children, leaving the family without shelter.

The Assembly Member for the area described the destruction as severe and appealed for urgent support for affected households.

Officials from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), who visited the community to assess the damage, said the scale of destruction was significant.

They encouraged relatives and members of the public to provide temporary accommodation for displaced residents while assessments continue and relief support is organised.

The storm left a trail of destruction, destroying homes, personal belongings and agricultural produce, with many families now facing the difficult task of rebuilding their lives.