No fewer than 3000 houses and farmlands have submerged in Makurdi and other riverine communities in Benue State following the overflow of the River Benue.

The flood has displaced scores of persons in the agrarian communities, just as it has damaged property worth millions of naira, including cars and food items.

Water from the River Benue has run over the coast and has completely covered the houses situated in the area.

The Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), of the Catholic Diocese, took a tour of the affected communities yesterday to assess the level of damage and proffer solutions towards bringing succour to the displaced victims of the flood.

The state coordinator of the commission, Rev. Fr. John Attah explained that the visit to the flooded areas was to ascertain the level of damage and evolve emergency measures. He said the commission has organised a four-day workshop on emergency preparedness and response to sensitise Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to develop plan for execution of humanitarian intervention.

However, scores of residents packing their belongings out of the submerged houses situated at varied communities located along Makurdi-Gboko road. It was gathered that the water increase everyday.

Mr. Asan Paul, 50, was met at Kucha Utebe with his wife and children evacuating their property out of their submerged house. He said “we are packing our damaged belongings out of the rooms because the water overflew from the River Benue before it submerged this house last night when we were deeply sleeping.”

Flood Sacks 7,000 Residents In Delta Community

Perennial flood ravaging some parts of Oghara community, Ethiope West local government area of Delta State on Tuesday sacked no fewer than 7,000 persons in the areas.

The displaced persons, investigation revealed, apart from their houses destroyed in the flood, had also lost properties worth millions of naira.

It was reliably gathered that the flood was worsened by heavy rainfall on the fateful Tuesday at about 5:30pm and left inhabitants of Ibori Streets, Ogini road, Winners Chapel road, Hausa Quarters, Water Board road, Mossoga College Junction and Atiwo road confused as they watched their houses and properties destroyed.

Reports said that though no life lost but activities of the flood in the recent times have been source of concern to the entire residents of Oghara Community and have appealed to the state government to come to their aid.

Some of the victims who spoke to our correspondent and did not want their names in the print explained that the ravaging flood was occasioned by the non functional drainage system in the community and accused the Council boss, Mr. Solomon Golley of apathy and negligence.

But in a swift reaction, the council boss dispelled all allegations against him as untrue, stating that it was unfortunate for the victims.

Expectedly, the flood had been predicted by the National Metrological Agency (NIMET) with a view to constructing drainage system in flood prone areas and opening them up especially the blocked drains in the local government.