A heavy downpour lasting over four hours has caused widespread destruction in parts of Ebonyi State, leaving farmlands submerged, crops destroyed and several businesses affected.
The torrential rainfall, accompanied by a strong windstorm, occurred on Saturday night across Abakaliki and Akpoha communities in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The flooding reportedly affected the Abakaliki–Afikpo Expressway, with large portions of farmland submerged and agricultural produce worth millions of naira destroyed.
Farmers who spoke on the incident said the flood washed away valuable crops including yam, cassava, maize, rice, melon and other farm produce.
One of the affected farmers, Cletus Idam, said the disaster wiped out his investment for the farming season, adding that many farmers may be forced to restart cultivation if the floodwaters recede.
He appealed to the Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to visit the affected communities, assess the extent of damage and provide assistance to victims.
Communities including Afikpo, Amasiri, Akpoha and surrounding areas were reportedly among those badly affected by the flooding.
Another farmer, Sunday Ewa, urged the state government to support affected farmers with relief materials, improved seedlings, chemicals and other agricultural inputs to help them recover.
Community leaders also expressed concern over the impact of the flood on food production and livelihoods in the area.
Chief Joseph Irem, a community leader in Afikpo, described the incident as a major setback for agriculture and food security, noting that the communities remain vulnerable due to their terrain.
Meanwhile, parts of Abakaliki also recorded damages from the windstorm, with some shops losing their roofs and goods destroyed by rainwater.
A trader at Kpiri-Kpiri Market, Chioma Ifeanyi, said many business owners, especially those dealing in electrical appliances, suffered significant losses.
Petty traders at Ebebe Junction Evening Market in Amike-Aba Community also reported damage to their makeshift shops, with several goods, including grains, destroyed.
The affected traders appealed to relevant government agencies for urgent intervention, saying the losses could affect their ability to support their families.
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