A devastating flood has struck Nkalunta Ibere village in Otu Uzo-Ibere, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, leaving over 300 residents without homes. The flood, caused by a week-long heavy rainfall, overflowed the banks of Akoo River, destroying houses, livestock, poultry, and churches. The affected residents are now facing hunger and possible disease outbreaks as they struggle to cope with the aftermath of the disaster.
According to community members, the persistent rainfall caused Akoo River to rise above its normal water level, resulting in the flooding. The impact of the overflowing river also swept reptiles, fish, and other aquatic animals from the river onto the surrounding land. The community is now in dire need of assistance, with many residents currently sleeping in the cold following the destruction of their homes.
The President-General of Ibere Clan Development Union Federated, Maxwell Otuonye, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, House of Assembly candidate for Ikwuano LGA, Kalu Chukwuemeka Israel, have called for immediate assistance from the Abia Government and the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA. They emphasized the urgent need for aid to alleviate the suffering of the affected residents.
The Chairman of Ikwuano LGA, Anthony Nwaubani, described the Nkalunta flooding as a major disaster that requires immediate action from NEMA and other relevant government agencies. He expressed concern that the scale of the destruction was too extensive for his office to handle alone. Nwaubani's comments highlight the severity of the situation and the need for external support.
The immediate past Minister of State for Science and Technology, Henry Ikoh, who is from Ikwuano, has appealed to the Federal Government and the Abia Government to provide immediate assistance to the affected residents. Ikoh's plea underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for swift intervention to mitigate the suffering of the affected community.
This recent flooding incident is not an isolated case, as a similar incident occurred in Ugwueke community, Bende LGA of Abia, where a 37-year-old trader, Mr Ejiuwa, lost his life. The recurrence of such incidents highlights the need for proactive measures to mitigate the impact of flooding in the region.
The Abia State Government and NEMA are yet to respond to the incident, but their intervention is crucial in providing relief to the affected residents. The flooding has brought to the fore the need for effective disaster management strategies to prevent such incidents in the future. The affected residents are eagerly awaiting assistance to rebuild their lives.
Key points
- Over 300 residents have been rendered homeless due to the flooding in Nkalunta Ibere village, Abia State.
- The flooding was caused by a week-long heavy rainfall that overflowed the banks of Akoo River.
- The affected residents are in dire need of assistance from the Abia Government and NEMA to alleviate their suffering.
