One of the affected houses.
By Anietie Akpan
First rain of the year in Yala Local Government Area (LGA) of Northern Senatorial District in Cross River state has killed three persons with over 20 houses destroyed.
Eyewitness reports said the down pour which was driven by fierce wind and thunder storm occurred on Monday and uprooted trees, cut electricity cables and pulled down houses in the area.
It was further reported that the over 20 houses were brought down by the storm in the villages of Ezekwe, Okpodon and Wanokom and the three persons (two females and one male) that died was a consequence of their houses that fell on them during the storm that lasted for hours.
The Chsirman of Yala LGA, Dr Fred Okem said that “the disaster is traumatizing considering the fact that the local government was trying to rehabilitate roads and assist the people with farm inputs for the farming season only for the disaster to occur.
“In the past one month, we have been rehabilitating roads, fixing water boreholes and distributing farm inputs to the people in expectation that when the rain falls.
“The farming period would kick off for them to plant their farms only for houses to be destroyed by rain storm and some persons killed which is a big set back”
He said costs of roofing sheets have gone through the roof and people cannot afford them and many of those affected by the storm are currently sleeping in the open.
“Since the incident happened two days ago, those whose homes were destroyed are sleeping in the open with their children and the effect of such is well known”, he said.
Dr Okem appealed for help from the federal, state governments and non.governmental organisations to enable the people rebuild their homes before diseases set in the camps and lead to more deaths.
“We appeal to NEMA, SEMA, individuals and organisations to come to the aid of those affected to enable them rebuild their homes before the rains get too heavy making it impossible to build again”.
One of those affected,Ochim Ogar in Wanokom village said his wife was a victim of the disaster when their home fell on.her leading to her death.
“My wife and the children ran inside our house when the rain started but at a point the wind became very strong and the walls of our house fell and she died on the spot while my children managed to escape.
My condition is critical, I have never seen this kind of thing before. Now my wife and house gone, the government should please intervene”.
