Flood ravages Ebonyi community, destroys houses, farmlands

Heavy flooding has wreaked havoc in Azuoto, Okpuitumo community in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, destroying several farmlands and people’s property, worth millions of Naira.

 

A victim, Mrs. Chinyere Nworie, told journalists in Abakiliki on Friday that her rice, yam and cassava farms were submerged by flood. Nworie lamented that the incident has become a perennial experience in the area due to the nearness of Azuoto and Ebony River, linking the River Niger.

 

She further said that no fewer than 96 households in the area were affected by the disaster.

 

She said: “This flood happened on Saturday, following Friday’s heavy downpour. Our farms have been taken over by the rain flood. Our community has always suffered flooding every year, especially whenever it rained heavily and water overflows the Ebonyi River bank.”

 

Another resident, Mr. Amauche Agbo, described the incident as “unfortunate”. The victims appealed to governments at all levels to come to their aid with relief materials to cushion the effect of the disaster on them.

 

Reacting to the development, the Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Uche Oba, said the agency has commenced assessment in the affected communities.

 

Oba said the incident has been a worrisome phenomenon to the State government.