Catholic Church, market, residential buildings collapse, many injured as rainstorm wreaks havoc in Owukpa, Benue State (Photos)

The year 2020 no doubt arrived with tears and pain clung to its back.

While the people in the urban areas are battling the scourge of Coronavirus, some residents of Ai Famu, a community in Owukpa are without roofs over their heads.

This, IDOMA VOICE learnt happened as a result of a heavy wind that accompanied a late night rain on Saturday.

Over 50 houses were destroyed and some persons injured after a roof caved in on them.

The worst hit of the disaster was Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Ahor Market and the LGEA Primary School.

The church roof was completely blown off while the entire classroom blocks in the school went down.

Several stalls in the market were also destroyed by the angry storm.

Comrade Egwu Emmanuel, who was at the scene of the incident, described it as disastrous.

“It was was a big disaster. I was close to the place when it was raining. We couldn’t hear anything because of the rainstorm.

“When I woke up in the morning, I noticed several houses have collapsed.

“The iron-roofed Catholic Church building was blown off. The primary school buildings are nothing to write home about.

“Some women were injured after the roof of their house caved in while they were sleeping. They have been taken to the hospital for treatment.”

Also confirming the development, another resident of the area, Maxwell, said the rain only lasted for about 25 minutes.

‘The rain started at about 7:15PM and ended at about 7:45PM and look at the damages it caused.

“As we speak, many persons are rendered homeless. The government should come to our aid. They said we should stay indoor but no roof to cover our heads.

See the pictures below.