Flood destroys 1,200 houses, displaces 4,000 persons

dimeji akinloye

October 17, 2016 8:52 AM

The DG of SEMA, John Inaku said the flooding was as a result of climate change, as predicted by NIMET.

Flooding (Illustration)

Persistent rainfall in the last three weeks has displaced over 4, 000 persons in

The flooding also left 900 farms with crops such as rice, cassava, yam, vegetables, cocoa and palms destroyed.

According to a release issued by the Assistant Director with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr David Akate, the incident occurred in some communities in Ogoja, Obudu, Yala, Ikom, Etung, Boki, Abi and Biase Local Government Areas.

It was gathered that over 1,200 houses were also flooded, leaving many to resort to squatting with neighbours, friends and relatives.

The Director General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), John Inaku, while accessing the disaster, said it was as a result of climate change, as predicted by NIMET some months ago.

ALSO READ: 18 killed, 6,637 houses destroyed by flood in Jigawa

Inaku said the government is making frantic efforts to intervene in the disaster, urging the affected farmers to exercise patience.

He warned against farmers carrying out emergency harvesting of the flooded crops to avoid drowning, and urged those in flooded homes to evacuate to higher grounds without delay.

dimeji akinloye