ABUJA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed after a strong rainstorm triggered by heavy rainfall caused widespread destruction in Nigeria's northern state of Sokoto, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said on Monday.
Tukur Abubakar, a senior emergency response officer with NEMA in Sokoto, said that the storm affected several communities and caused extensive damage to homes and critical public infrastructure, including a primary school and a hospital in Kware Local Government Area.
Abubakar said hundreds of households were affected in recent days, with many people sustaining injuries.
The emergency management agency said it conducted an assessment to determine the extent of the damage and identify the immediate humanitarian needs of the affected communities.
Nigeria's rainy season typically lasts about six months, beginning in March and intensifying from mid-May, particularly in the northern part of the country.
Local experts say climate change has contributed to increasingly erratic and intense rainfall patterns in the West African country.
