A severe flood has displaced at least 134 families in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State after heavy rainfall caused a nearby river to overflow.
The flooding, which occurred two days ago, destroyed houses, farmlands and other valuable property across affected communities. Residents described the incident as one of the worst floods they had ever experienced in the area.
Abia Okoro Abia, chairman of Amaegbu Village in Umuobor community, said the flood was particularly severe because the community is close to the river.
He said floodwater entered homes and had remained at roof level in some buildings.
According to him, the disaster had never occurred on such a scale in the community since he was born.
Several residents have been forced from their homes and are appealing to the Ebonyi State and Federal Governments for urgent assistance, including relief materials and measures to prevent another major flood.
Inside Ebonyi State:
Ebonyi Police Arrest Six, Recover AK-47 Over Murder of Traditional Ruler in Ishinkwo
Ebonyi Hospital Performs First Keyhole Prostate Surgery
Gunmen Invade Ebonyi Community, Behead Residents, Kidnap Villagers, Burn Homes
The flood victims have also received support from the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, who donated N5 million for emergency relief.
The donation was presented through a delegation led by the state PDP chairman, Igwe Chukwuma, during a visit to the affected community.
Igwe Chukwuma said more than 134 families had been seriously affected and appealed to individuals, organisations and government agencies to assist the victims.
Felix Igboke, the PDP candidate for the Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency, said the donation was meant to provide immediate support to families affected by the disaster.
He also said relevant government agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency, were expected to provide additional assistance.
The Ebonyi disaster occurred shortly after severe flooding affected communities in Aninri Local Government Area of neighbouring Enugu State.
In Enugu, heavy rainfall caused the Ivo Dam to overflow, affecting nine communities and damaging more than 2,000 houses, bridges and farmlands.
Two children from the same family reportedly died during the flooding in Mpu and Okpanku communities, while several residents were displaced.
Some affected residents sought shelter in churches and other available facilities as floodwater cut off access to parts of the communities.
Residents also reported significant damage to businesses and homes, with some buildings collapsing and goods remaining submerged for days.
The chairman of Aninri Local Government Area, Ugochukwu Nwanjoku, linked the recurring flooding in parts of the area to the abandoned Ivo River Dam project.
Senator Osita Ngwu, who represents Enugu West Senatorial District, called for urgent Federal Government intervention to address the situation and revive efforts to complete the abandoned project.
The recent flooding in Ebonyi and Enugu has raised renewed concerns about the impact of rising river levels and heavy rainfall across parts of the South-East.
The National Emergency Management Agency had previously identified several states, including Ebonyi and Enugu, as being at risk of riverine flooding.
NEMA Director-General Zubaida Umar urged people living around riverbanks, floodplains and low-lying areas to move to safer locations before the situation becomes worse.
Residents of the affected communities are now calling for immediate relief and long-term measures to reduce the risk of repeated flooding.
About the Author
