Floods have wreaked havoc across several communities in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, following a prolonged night of heavy rainfall which destroyed rice farms and other agricultural fields, affecting properties worth millions of naira.
Villages such as Ndiagu Amagu and Ekpaomaka are among the worst-hit, as farmers in the area now face a major setback with their sources of livelihood washed away. The total impact is still being evaluated, but the damage is alarming.
Local authorities have called on residents in flood-prone and low-lying areas to move to safer locations. With more rainfall expected in the coming days, the warning is timely and crucial to prevent further loss of life and property.
In Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, residents in vulnerable zones are appealing to the state government and relevant agencies to take swift and practical steps to mitigate the ongoing flood crisis. They argue that proactive interventions are needed more than ever as rainfall patterns intensify.
In his remarks, the village head of Onu Ebonyi Inyimagu in Izzi Local Government AreaChief Christopher Esha, expressed concern over the recurring flood disasters in his community. He blamed the proximity of the village to the Ebonyi River and the current structure of the riverbank for their vulnerability. Chief Esha is urging Governor Francis Nwifuru to initiate the dredging of the river to prevent continued annual flooding that has left his people in despair.
Speaking, a resident recalled how a previous attempt by a federal agency to dredge the Iyi Udele waterway towards the Ebonyi River has failed to deliver the expected relief. He explained that the contractors abandoned the natural water path and instead diverted the flow for convenience, ignoring community resistance.
This decision, he said, has only made the situation worse.
According to him, several lives, including those of children, have been lost to the floods. He added that homes have collapsed and properties worth billions have been destroyed. He called on government bodies at all levels to intervene immediately before the crisis deepens further.
Community members such as Mmaduabuchi Ofoke and Elder Innocent Nwede also highlighted the challenges faced during the rainy season. They revealed that the canal linked to the Ebonyi River has done little to help. In fact, many residents are now forced to abandon their vehicles and motorcycles far from their homes due to the impassable nature of their roads. The added security risk has left many residents frustrated and vulnerable.
They appealed to Governor Nwifuru not to waste the opportunity to rehabilitate the area, especially since their communities had earlier given up land for the establishment of the state capital, Abakaliki.
According to them, many families have been displaced and now live as refugees in safer areas, uncertain of when the next wave of flooding might strike.
The Federal Government, through the National Flood Early Warning Center under the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Project, recently warned that at least eleven states are at risk of serious flooding this rainy season. Ebonyi and neighboring states like Cross River are among those identified in the forecast.
