From Owen Akenzua, Asaba
No fewer than 300 houses have been destroyed by flood in riverine communities of Delta State, displacing thousands of residents.
In the last five days, there has been torrential downpour in the state as predicted by experts.
AljazirahNigeria correspondent reports that what appeared to be a sign of trouble was the presents of snakes and other reptiles struggling for conducive space with human beings on Sunday, thereby making residents of the riverine communities in the state to suspect the unimaginable and began to scamper for safety leaving there houses for reptiles but within hours the riverine communities including there houses were impacted by floods as a result of heavy downpour for about five days, causing the River Niger to over flow it’s banks.
AljazirahNigeria reports that the volume of water in the River Niger surged to a threatening level as at Saturday and Sunday, thereby causing panic among the residents.
It was also learnt that the impact of the overflowing River Niger wreaked havoc in Isoko South Local Government Area, submerges houses and farm lands in Uzuere and neighbouring communities.
Speaking to our correspondent, a community leader in Abala Oshimili, Chief Dennis Otuma said the flood had overwhelmed the community with several houses,properties, economic crops destroyed. He, therefore, appealed to the State Government to come to their rescue.
“We have nowhere to go and our houses have been destroyed, our crops swept into the River Niger including our properties. We are in tears and we plead with concerned Nigerians to come to our aid”, he leaded.
AljazirahNigeria correspondent was at Aboh, another affected community where residents resort to canoes to cross to neighbours’ houses and other areas.
A community leader in Umu-Oko, Oshimili South Local Government Area, Chief Emordi Obiorah told our correspondent that although there was panic among residents, the flood was yet to extend beyond its boundaries, adding that the residents were watching helplessly as the situation might force them to relocate immediately.
Reacting to the situation, the state Commissioner for Special Duties and co-chairman of Flood Disaster Management Committee, Mr Etacheru Ejiro said the state government planned to immediately relocate those whose houses had been destroyed.
He added that the team also inspected several Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camps with a view to ensuring that the people were safe.
The Director of the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Mr Karo Ovemeso said the disasters were overwhelming as hundreds of houses had been destroyed.
He said the situation was not over, considering the volume of the water flowing through various channels, including the overflowing River Niger.
He, however, assured that SEMA would ensure that residents do not lose their lives.
AljazirahNigeria reports that some parts of Lagos State over the weekend got it’s fare share of flood disaster as more than 14 hours rain fall sent flooding to the affected areas thereby destroying properties and lives.
