By Citizenship Daily
Over 300 houses have been flooded and inhabitants completely rendered homeless in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, following heavy downpour.
Some of the affected areas include Gyado villa, Gaadi, Wadata, Wurukum, Achussa and parts of North bank.
Our correspondent who went around the town to monitor the situation, observed that residents were seen evacuating their personal belongings that was submerged by the flooding.
One of the affected residents, Terhemba Pine, said he refused to relocate his household to the designated camps close to their area because he thought that it would no longer rain.
Pine who is a landlord at Achussa, lamented that he lost several valuables including foodstuffs and his office documents.
“In this my area, not more than a hundred of residents were affected. The rain started at exactly 1:00 am and it took us unaware. From that time it continued until 12 noon. My children could not be able to go to school because of the rain.
When contacted, the Executive Secretary, State Executive Management Agency, Sir James Iorpuu, said the agency is fully prepared to respond to the needs of those who may have been affected by flooding.
Sir Iorpuu spoke through the information officer of the agency, who pleaded anonymity, stating that already many residents who are living around the flood-prone areas particularly in Gaadi and Wadata axis of Makurdi town have relocated to the Government approved designated camps in Wadata and Gboko road.
Said he,”as I speak with you, technical committee on rapid response to flooding set up by Governor Alia, are currently at Wadata and Gaadi camps, and had started distributing food and non food items to affected Victims.
“Those who have been affected by the recent flooding have been given mattresses and other food items. Today many residents in Wadata and Gboko road areas of Makurdi were affected. Therefore, we are calling on all those living in and around flood-prone areas to immediately relocate to camps”