Flood Wreaks Havoc On 200 Houses In Ebonyi

Odogwu Media reports that at the last count no fewer than two persons have been declared missing following a devastating flood that destroyed over 200 houses in Onuebonyi Inyimagu, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital and Izzi Local Government Area of the state.

The flood followed a three-day downpour, which submerged houses as well as destroyed property and economic trees while many families were also displaced.

According to eyewitness account, the flood was induced by an overflow of Ebonyi River into Izzi River in which several communities were affected and foodstuffs, farmlands and household properties worth millions of naira destroyed.

One of the victims, Mr. Goddy Nwenyim, said the flood pulled down his house rendering him and other residents homeless. He described the incident as the worst in the area.

Meanwhile, victims of the flood have appealed to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to come to their rescue with temporary accommodation. Also, they urged that Ebonyi River should be dredged to avoid a repeat of the tragedy.

Narrating their ordeal, another victim said: “It was around 3a.m when I saw water entering our house. I thought it was not much, until it submerged the whole house. We could not remove anything from the house. We slept outside because we did not know where to go. We appeal to the state government to come to our aid because in my case, I don’t know where to go with my children.”

Another victim, Mrs Agnes Iyam lamented: “It was a terrible experience. What we found out was that the water from Ebonyi River over flowed its bank, causing devastating flood around this area. Just take a look at the level of destruction; we are still looking for two of our children. Our sheep, food stuffs and our farmland were destroyed.”

Checks by Daily Sun revealed that the flood also affected Anglican Church at Unagboke village, Azuiyiokwu in Abakaliki Local Government Area of the state.