At least thirty-six (36) households are said to be affected by last weekend’s heavy windstorm and torrential rains in Kaur leaving behind blown-off roofs, collapsed buildings and fences, as well as slicing down trucks and branches of big trees that make most roads inaccessible within the community.
The source said many households were displaced as a result of the windstorm that started around 2 am early Saturday morning, adding that many of those affected have taken shelters with neighbours and other family members within the community.
Bamba Salimang Janneh, a victim whose four double rooms line house buildings were completely blown-off by the heavy windstorm that was characterized by torrential rains disclosed that the incident took the entire community by surprise as it started late at night when many families were asleep.
He stated that the situation has caused great shock and sorrow to his family and they are seeking to seek temporary shelter with other families in the community, disclosing that his family lacks the resources and financial muscle to renovate the damages incurred from the windstorm.
He told this reporter that though no one was hurt among his family who were all asleep by the time, it has resulted in damage to other households’ values as well as the families feeding, calling on the government and philanthropists to come to their aid in this difficult moment.
Alanso Keita, a rights activist cum youth leader at Kaur Janneh Kunda also informed this medium that the windstorm and torrential rains have left behind many collapsed buildings and fences while disclosing that many big trees within the community have fallen off due to the heavy force of the windstorm thus blocking roads and making them inaccessible within the community.
He disclosed that one family escaped death after the house in which they were sleeping collapsed on them, adding that they were taken to the community health center for a check-up but have since been discharged.
The rights activists observed that many of those affected are in dare need of help in terms of clothing, shelter, food, and household materials that they lost due largely to the windstorm while calling on all and sundry to come forth to support the victims most of whom are vulnerable poor farmers who are experiencing a very difficult moment in their lives.
The Executive Director of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Sanna Dahaba confirmed the incident that he said occurred on the 7th and 8th of October 2022, disclosing that thirty-six (36) households has been affected in Kaur, CRR North, on the nights of the 7th and 8th of October, 2022, due to windstorm and heavy rains.
He further confirmed that six (6) trees had fallen on houses and fences plus three injuries when their house fell on them, noting that they were taken to hospital for urgent treatment and have since been discharged.
He added that this is one of the most serious incidents reported in rural Gambia this year while appealing for support on behalf of the victims who are in dire need of support both in terms of shelter, feeding, and clothing.