A devastating downpour in Benue State has left residents reeling from the aftermath of severe flooding, with houses submerged and livestock losses mounting.
The alarming situation unfolded on Thursday night, catching locals off guard and plunging them into a state of distress.
Mrs. Rosemary Iorhemen, a resident of Abger Village, a community few minutes away from the Government house shared her harrowing experience: “The water rose so quickly, engulfing our homes before we could react. I rushed to my poultry farm only to find all my birds drowned. This recurring nightmare has left us shattered, especially since our pleas for drainage solutions have fallen on deaf ears.”
The impact on livestock has been equally devastating, as Mrs. Comfort Vitalise recounted the loss of her entire herd: “The sound of collapsing structures alerted me to the disaster. I lost hundreds of chickens and goats in a single night, wiping out years of hard work and investment. We urgently need proper drainage systems to prevent such tragedies.”
Mr. Jacob, another resident, narrowly escaped a life-threatening situation: “My children and I were trapped as our fence collapsed, forcing us into the water. Despite previous attempts to create drainage channels, some persons who knew the former governor went to lobby for their homes not to be touched, leaving us vulnerable to recurring disasters.”
While there have been no reported casualties, the destruction of properties worth millions has left many families grappling with uncertainty and loss. The community’s livelihoods have been upended, underscoring the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.
