Flooding in Rivers State.mynewslive
Flood Displaces 200 Families in Rivers Community
Over 200 families have been displaced by severe flooding in the Rumaholu-Nkpolu Pipeline Area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State. Residents reported that the flooding, which has destroyed properties, has also brought snakes and other dangerous reptiles into their homes.
Residents recounted that this flooding issue began in 2017, following reports of properties being built on waterways, which may have disrupted natural drainage. Thomas, one of the affected residents, shared that families typically spend up to seven months each year outside their homes, waiting for floodwaters to recede.
He explained, “If you follow me now into each house that has been abandoned, you will find about six snakes. At night, without a torchlight, you risk stepping on a snake. That’s why many of us have fled our homes.”
Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, blamed the situation on property owners building on canals and called for the Rivers State Government’s intervention. “We are calling on the government to help build an underground drainage system here. We use boats to access our homes,” she tearfully explained.
Looting and Property Damage
Residents have also faced theft and looting after leaving their homes due to the flooding. “We locked up the house when we left, but before we returned, everything had been looted. We are just starting all over again,” one resident lamented.
The Chairman of the Landlords Association in the area, Kalu Chukwuma, urged the government to implement recommendations from the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning. He emphasized the need for proper water channeling to address the recurring flooding.
“Check for yourself, you can see many houses, even storey buildings, affected. Maybe some areas have been blocked without us knowing because this wasn’t happening before 2017,” Chukwuma said. He also noted the dangers posed by rising water levels, which bring snakes into homes and pose risks to residents.
Residents are calling on the government to address the root causes of the flooding and ensure the safety and stability of their community, allowing them to return to their homes safely.
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