A severe rainstorm has destroyed more than 40 houses in the Yendi Municipality in the Northern Region and claimed the life of a 12-year-old girl.
Several other people sustained injuries in the storm, which struck in the early hours of Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
Families were left displaced and forced to seek shelter with relatives and friends. Household belongings, farm produce, and other property were also destroyed, and affected residents are appealing for urgent support from government, individuals, and philanthropic organisations.
A visit to Meindogu, a suburb of Yendi and one of the worst-hit communities, showed the scale of the damage, with residents describing the situation as devastating.
The deceased, identified only as Asana, died after a room collapsed on her during the storm.
Her mother, Awabu Abukari, said the family was asleep when strong winds tore off their roof before the walls caved in.
“The rains started in the night. I was inside with the children. All of a sudden, the roof caved in, and the room fell. The wall fell on my little girl, Asana, and she died. I’ve lost my child. The whole day we’ve not eaten because we are grieving. Now we have no place to stay. We are appealing for support,” she said.
Another victim, Abukari Abu, sustained neck injuries while trying to rescue his children as the house collapsed.
“When the rain started, the storm took off the roof of our house. I was trying to rescue the children. Suddenly, the rooms collapsed and fell on me and the children. We have nowhere to live now. We are appealing for urgent support,” he said.
The Assembly Member for the area described the situation as devastating and called for immediate assistance for the affected families.
Officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), who were on the ground assessing the damage, said the destruction was extensive. They have urged relatives and members of the public to provide temporary accommodation for displaced residents while assessments and relief efforts continue.
