Heavy flooding has wreaked havoc in Azuoto, Okpuitumo Community in Abakaliki Local Governmemt Area of Ebonyi State, destroying many farmlands and people’s property, worth millions of naira.
A victim, Mrs Chinyere Nworie, said in Abakiliki on Friday, September 13, 2024, that her rice, yam and cassava farms were submerged by flood.
Nworie said the incident had 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,” Nworie said.
Also, another resident, Mr Amauche Agbo, described the incident as “unfortunate”.
The victims appealed to government 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 had commenced assessment in the affected communities.
Oba said the incident had been a worrisome phenomenon to the state government.
By Uchenna Ugwu