200 displaced by flood in Rivers communities

200 people have been displaced by flood that ravaged four communities in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.

This calamity struck several months after forecasts from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency and the National Emergency Management Agency warned of heightened flooding in certain local government areas within the state this year.

Residents impacted by the flooding expressed their shock, emphasizing the loss of their life savings and valuables. They have urgently appealed to both the local and state governments for assistance.

The affected communities include Umuegbulum 1 and 2, Oyigbo West, and Umuokologbe. Many of the displaced individuals have sought shelter in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps due to the severe inundation.

According to Sunday Anayo, a resident of Oyigbo West, “There is water everywhere, from the road down to my compound. Some people have left their homes due to the situation. The flood is extensive, and we believed it wouldn’t return. This is very surprising.”

Chinaza, another affected resident, lamented, “My mattress, electronics, documents, and my children’s belongings were all damaged. The water level is unimaginable. More than 200 people now have nowhere to stay.”

The Chairman of Oyigbo LGA, Nwaogu Akara, revealed that the council has initiated the evacuation of affected residents to the local IDP camp. Akara pledged the government’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of those affected by the flood.

“The second phase is what we are facing now. The flood finally has arrived. The State Government has assisted us in fixing a place and we have started moving displaced persons to the IDP camp.

“We will try our best, as a government, to make sure that our people don’t suffer as a result of this occurrence, even as he thanked the state government for its assistance to the council to cater for the displaced residents.