Flood Ravages Rivers: 200+ Families Seek Shelter

Rivers Flood Crisis Deepens

“We spend seven months annually waiting for floodwaters to recede...”

Floods ravage Rivers State, Nigeria: 200+ families affected, property looted. Calls grow for government action on urban planning and infrastructure.

On Tuesday, October 22, devastating floods swept through the Rumaholu-Nkpolu Pipeline Area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State, displacing over 200 families. The catastrophic event left residents reeling.

Eyewitnesses described the terrifying scene as snakes and other reptiles emerged from the floodwaters, compounding the trauma. “The flooding has destroyed our homes and belongings,” one resident lamented.

According to affected residents, this was not an isolated incident. They recalled a similar disaster in 2017, which they attributed to construction on waterways. “Ever since then, we've faced annual flooding,” Thomas, a local resident, explained.

Thomas painted a dire picture of the community's plight. “Every year, we're forced to abandon our homes for seven months, waiting for the waters to recede. This time, we fled immediately when we saw snakes surfacing from the flood.»The displacement has left families vulnerable.

Residents described snakes and reptiles surfacing.

The community blames annual flooding on 2017 waterway construction. “We've lost count of what we've lost,” Thomas said.

Thomas revealed the harsh reality: “We spend seven months annually waiting for floodwaters to recede. This year, snakes forced us to flee immediately.”

The recurring disaster has left residents traumatized and searching for solutions.

He stated, “If you follow me now into each house that had been abandoned, you will find about six snakes.

“During the night, if you don't have any torchlight especially while coming down from the staircase, you will see snakes. Sometimes, almost we step on the snakes and that is why most of us ran away.”

A female resident, who requested anonymity, attributed the flooding to property owners building on canals. “We are calling on the Rivers State Government to help build an underground drainage in this area. We use boats to paddle into our houses,” she said tearfully.

The resident expressed concern over increased crime due to their displacement. “Hoodlums have invaded our homes and looted property,” she noted.

She appealed to the government to address the flooding's root causes. “We need assistance to tackle the underlying issues so we can return home safely.”

One affected resident, who wished to remain anonymous, shared her heartbreaking experience, saying, “We left the house and locked the place. But before we came back, they looted everything from my house. We are just starting all over again.”

She blamed property owners who built houses on canals for the devastating flood, obstructing the natural water flow. The resident tearfully appealed to the Rivers State Government for assistance, emphasizing the need for underground drainage in the area. “We are calling on the Rivers State Government to help build an underground drainage in this area. We use boats to paddle into our houses,” she explained.

The Chairman of the Landlords Association at Rumaholu-Nkpolu, Pipeline Area, Kalu Chukwuma, also spoke out, urging the Rivers State Government to implement the recommendations of the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning. Chukwuma stressed the importance of properly channeling water to the right canals, as advised. By addressing these critical issues, the government can help prevent future flooding and protect the community from further devastation.

Rivers State has experienced similar flooding in the past, particularly in 2017, which was attributed to construction on waterways. The state's geography, with its numerous rivers and low-lying areas, makes it prone to flooding. Effective measures, such as implementing the Ministry's recommendations and constructing underground drainage, are crucial to mitigating the impact of flooding on residents' lives.

He stated, “Check for yourself, you can see many houses, even storey buildings affected. Though this area was well planned, unfortunately, nobody knew what happened.

“Maybe, some areas have been blocked without us knowing because this was not happening until 2017.

“Let the government help us maybe to open up the place or channel the water to another area. The worst is that when the level of water is high, it starts coming from the ground with snakes.

“We have taken some people to hospitals especially our neighbors who don't have anybody to help them.”