Floods Ravage Ebonyi, Pregnant Woman Dies

Ebonyi Floods Claim Life, Destroy Properties

“These local governments are the flood- prone areas predicted by NITME and NEMA...”

Ebonyi Floods: Pregnant Woman Among 2 Killed, 173 Displaced, Crops Destroyed | SEMA Appeals for National Intervention

Tragedy has struck in Ebonyi, Nigeria, as floods have claimed the lives of two people, including a pregnant woman. The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) announced the devastating news, revealing that the floods have been wreaking havoc in parts of the state since June.

According to SEMA's executive secretary, Clement Ovuoba, the pregnant woman, Ozoemena Ugbega, and a young man lost their lives in the disaster. This heartbreaking incident is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of natural disasters on communities.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Floods have been ravaging various regions, including East Africa, where unprecedented rainfall has caused widespread destruction and displacement. In Nepal, recent floods and landslides have claimed over 66 lives, with many more still missing.

The vulnerability of pregnant women and newborns in these situations is particularly concerning. In Ethiopia, midwives have been a lifeline for pregnant women and newborns affected by drought and floods.

Flood-Related Crises Around the World:

East Africa: Unprecedented rainfall has caused widespread destruction and displacement 

Nepal: Floods and landslides have claimed over 66 lives 

Ethiopia: Midwives provide critical care to pregnant women and newborns affected by drought and floods 

Ebonyi, Nigeria: Two people, including a pregnant woman, have lost their lives to floods.

"The flood also affected 12 schools, six houses and 45 shops at the Abakaliki Building Material Market," Ovuoba noted.

The affected areas are primarily agricultural hubs, with Ikwo being the largest local government area in Ebonyi State, known for its production of rice, yams, and cassava. Izzi is also a significant center for agricultural trade, including yams, cassava, rice, palm oil, and palm kernels. Abakaliki, the state capital, is renowned for its rich food markets, while Afikpo is a major producer of agricultural products, including yams, palm produce, maize, and fruits.

The destruction of 261 hectares of farmlands will likely have a substantial impact on the local economy, particularly in the affected communities that rely heavily on agriculture for their livelihood. The Ebonyi State government may need to provide support to the affected farmers to help them recover from this disaster.

“These local governments are the flood- prone areas predicted by NITME and NEMA,” he said.

According to SEMA, the disaster is predicted to continue until November, as forecasted by NITME and NEMA. The SEMA boss urgently appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency, saying, “to look into our reports for more interventions because we lacked relief and rehabilitation materials.” This plea highlights the dire need for support to alleviate the suffering of those affected.

In recent years, Nigeria has experienced severe flooding, with the 2022 floods displacing over 1.4 million people, killing 603, and injuring 2,400. The flooding was largely attributed to climate change and heavy rainfall. With the current disaster predicted to persist until November, the SEMA boss's appeal for intervention is critical to mitigating the impact on affected communities.

“We have complete reports on the level of disaster in each community in all the LGAS mentioned.”