Flood has ravaged the Umuaku community in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, destroying property worth millions of naira.

Transport & Business Express reports that perimeter fences of some buildings, including the Jacob Achara Methodist Church, were pulled down while several buildings were sub-merged just as farm crops were washed away.

The flood has been blamed on erosion and the on-going construction of the Mbala Isuochi road which is feared to have blocked natural water ways.

“We have never experienced a flood of this magnitude. It pulled down fences and water levels inside people’s rooms were as high as six feet. We have lost a fortune, individually and collectively, but glory be to God that no life was lost,” said an octogenarian, Rev John Nkemakolam. The retired clergy lost everything to the disaster but was saved by neighbours.

Abia State Deputy Governor, Sir Emeka Ananaba, who raced to the area for an on-the-spot assessment, at the instance of Governor Theodore Orji, expressed shock at the extent of damage wreaked by the disaster.

“Government sympathises with all the flood victims over the pains and trauma you are passing through,“Ananaba said, assuring the people of the quick intervention of government to alleviate their sufferings. “Government will come to you aid soon,” he told a cross section of people in Umuaku while giving hint that the state would approach the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC) for possible assistance, not just to the Umuaku flood disaster victims but to help Abia tackle erosion menace across the state.

Already, the Abia State House of Assembly has passed a resolution, calling on the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to urgently send relief materials to the people of Umuaku and Mbala Isuochi rendered homeless by flooding,

The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Sir Ude Okochukwu, announced the resolution after the member representing Umunneochi State Constituency, Prince Ikedi Ezekwesiri, had drawn the attention of the legislature to the plight of his constituents and pleaded for urgent assistance.

*Photo: A flood scene

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