Nigeria is experiencing another ravaging flood and many states have had their fair share.
In Azuoto, Okpuitumo Community in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi , flood has wreaked havoc destroying houses and farmlands and people’s property, worth millions of naira.
A resident of the community who was also a victim, Chinyere Nworie, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday that her rice, yam and cassava farms were submerged by flood.
According to Nworie, the flooding has become a recurring nightmare for the community due to its proximity to the Azuoto and Ebony Rivers, which flow into the River Niger.
She added that at least 96 households in the area have fallen victim to the disaster, highlighting the severity of the situation.
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.
Another resident, Mr Amauche Agbo, described the incident as “unfortunate”.
The victims urgently appealed to government authorities at all levels to provide relief materials and support to alleviate the suffering caused by the disaster.
In response, Mr. Uche Oba, Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), stated that the agency has initiated an assessment of the affected communities to determine the extent of the damage and identify areas of need
Oba added that the incident had been a worrisome phenomenon to the State Government.
Borno State, has been the worst hit. Flash floods have affected over 239,000 people, with an unknown number of casualties.
The floods have also engulfed a zoo, sweeping animals like crocodiles and snakes into communities.
A state-run zoo reported that over 80% of its wildlife has been killed, with deadly reptiles washed into neighborhoods. A video of an ostrich wading through a flooded road in Maiduguri has been widely shared on social media.
A devastating flood disaster also occured in Ugwu Mkpume Layout, Achalla Agu community in Nkpor Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The flood, which occurred on Thursday and lasted for over 11 hours, claimed the lives of a mother of three and another unidentified person.
Similarly, the Federal Government has warned the Niger Delta and southern states to be prepared for flooding, and revealed that the recent devastating flood in Maiduguri was caused by the overflow of the Ngadda River, not by the collapse of the Alau Dam as originally thought.
