3 killed, several houses destroyed as heavy rainstorm hits Cross River

At least three people have lost their lives in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State after a heavy rainstorm wreaked havoc on Tuesday night.

The torrential rain, accompanied by a thunderstorm and strong winds, caused widespread destruction, collapsing houses, uprooting trees, and burying victims under debris.

According to local reports, the storm destroyed at least 21 houses across the villages of Ezekwe, Okpodon, and Wanokom. The deceased include two females and one male, who tragically lost their lives when their homes collapsed on them.

The rain came with fierce wind and thunderstorms, which pulled down electricity poles and cables and flung off the rooftops of houses nearby.

Chairman of Yala local government area, Dr Fred Okem, described the incident as pathetic, 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.

The council chairman said, “In the past 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 will kick off for them to plant their crops only for houses to be destroyed by a rain storm.”

Okem stated that the 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”‘

Okem called on state and federal federal government, public spirited individuals to assist the victims.

“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”. He maintained.