Heavy Rain and Windstorm Damage Farms and Shops in Ebonyi State

Torrential rain and a strong windstorm hit Abakaliki and Akpoha Communities in Afikpo North LGA of Ebonyi State on Saturday night.

The downpour lasted over four hours and caused severe flooding along the Abakaliki, Afikpo Expressway. This flooding submerged farmlands and destroyed crops worth millions of naira.

Some farmers spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abakaliki on Sunday. They reported that the flood washed away yams, cassava, maize, rice, melons, and other crops from their farms.

Cletus Idam said the disaster wiped out his entire investment for 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," Mr Idam said.

He called on the Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency to assess the damage and help the affected communities.

He added that Afikpo, Amasiri, Akpoha, and their neighboring areas faced serious destruction of farmlands due to the recent heavy rain.

Another farmer, Sunday Ewa, urged the Ebonyi State Government to provide relief materials and farming supplies to the affected farmers.

Mr Ewa asked for improved seedlings, chemicals, and other inputs to help farmers start planting again.

He noted that Afikpo, Amasiri, and Akpoha communities are vulnerable to flooding because of their terrain.

A community leader in Afikpo, Joseph Irem, called the damage a serious threat to farming and food security.

Mr Irem said the community leaders would officially report the incident to the relevant authorities and seek help for the affected residents.

He is hopeful that the Ebonyi State Government and the National Emergency Management Agency will provide assistance to the victims.

In parts of Abakaliki, a strong windstorm also damaged commercial buildings. The storm blew off the roofs of some shops, allowing rainwater to ruin many goods.

A trader at Kpiri-Kpiri Market, Chioma Ifeanyi, said many traders suffered heavy losses, especially those selling electrical appliances.

"The rainstorm caused extensive damage, and many shop owners had their goods damaged by rainwater," she said.

Some petty traders at the popular Ebebe Junction Evening Market in Amike-Aba Community in Abakaliki also shared their losses due to the windstorm’s effects on their makeshift structures.

Patricia Onwe, Iruka Ede, and Pauline Iteshi said the heavy windstorm blew off the roofs of their shops, destroying their goods in the rain.

"We lost several goods, mostly grains, amounting to hundreds of thousands of naira. We are calling on the government to come to our aid.

"We depend on what we make from our petty trading in this market to fend for our families and pay our children’s school fees."