A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria who visited the area on Tuesday, reports that the flood also rendered many people homeless.
The flood destroyed cassava, yam and rice farms. Sugarcane plantations as well as farmlands along Asonkota, Afuluenyi, Iruotu and Ogu villages in Ifite-Igbariam were also destroyed.
A victim of the flood, Mr Edozie Emeka, described his situation and those of other victims as `helpless’, saying the flood had compelled them to harvest their crops prematurely.
Chief Pius Chinweze, a 90-year-old farmer, told NAN that some buildings had been washed away and appealed to the state government to come to their assistance.
“The flood destroyed all our crops forcing us to harvest them prematurely; we want government to assist us in tackling the problem once and for all.
“As a matter of fact, the government should declare the area a disaster zone to enable us receive the required attention,” Chinweze added.
Mrs. Theresa Ezinando and Mr. Anthony Okafor said the profit they had estimated from their farms could no longer be realised, and that hunger could become their greatest challenge.
School children were also affected as part of their school buildings were destroyed even as they were being conveyed to school on canoe.
Efforts to reach the Commissioner for Environment to comment on the matter was not successful.
Source:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201010273234840
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