Torrential rainfall and the accompanying windstorm on Saturday night destroyed farmlands and shops in Abakaliki and Akpoha Community in Afikpo North LGA of Ebonyi.
The over four-hour rainfall caused severe flooding on the Abakaliki–Afikpo Expressway, submerging farmlands and destroying crops worth millions of naira.
A cross-section of affected farmers told reporters in Abakaliki on Sunday that the flood washed away yams, cassava, maize, rice, melons, and other crops.
Mr. Cletus Idam said the disaster wiped out all his investments this planting season.
“We invested huge sums of money in our farms, but everything has been washed away; we may have to replant if the flood recedes,” Idam said.
He appealed to the Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to assess the damage and support the affected communities.
He noted that Afikpo, Amasiri, Akpoha, and neighboring communities experienced extensive farmland destruction following recent heavy rains.
Another farmer, Mr. Sunday Ewa, urged the Ebonyi Government to provide relief materials and agricultural inputs to affected farmers.
Ewa called for improved seedlings, chemicals, and other farm inputs to enable farmers to resume cultivation.
He explained that Afikpo, Amasiri, and Akpoha remained vulnerable to flooding because of their terrain.
A community leader in Afikpo, Chief Joseph Irem, described the destruction as a serious threat to agricultural production and food security.
Irem said community leaders would formally report the incident to relevant authorities and seek intervention for the affected residents.
He expressed optimism that the Ebonyi Government and the National Emergency Management Agency would provide relief assistance.
In parts of Abakaliki, a strong windstorm damaged commercial buildings, blowing off shop roofs and damaging goods with rainwater.
Mrs. Chioma Ifeanyi, a trader at Kpiri-Kpiri Market, said many traders suffered heavy losses, especially dealers in electrical appliances.
“The rainstorm caused extensive damage; many shop owners had their goods ruined by rainwater,” she said.
At the Ebebe Junction Evening Market in Amike-Aba Community, petty traders like Mrs. Patricia Onwe, Iruka Ede, and Mrs. Pauline Iteshi recounted losses from the windstorm.
They said the storm removed the roofs of their shops, destroying goods like grains worth hundreds of thousands of naira.
“We lost several goods; we are calling on the government to help us. We depend on petty trading to support our families and pay school fees.
“We will face hard times if no aid comes from government intervention agencies,” the victims stated.
