Properties valued at over ₦27 million have been destroyed after a torrential rainfall triggered severe flooding in the Arab and Atimbo communities of Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, leaving residents stranded and helpless for several hours on Thursday.
Key Highlights
- Over ₦27 million worth of property destroyed by flood.
- More than 100 houses submerged in Arab and Atimbo communities.
- Residents accuse government of neglect despite repeated appeals.
- Families struggled to rescue children and salvage belongings.
- Victims call on Cross River State Government and SEMA for urgent intervention.
The heavy downpour caught residents unprepared, forcing many to flee their homes while struggling to rescue their children and salvage valuables from the rapidly rising floodwaters.
A journalist residing in the affected area was also impacted, as floodwaters submerged household belongings, causing panic and widespread anxiety throughout the duration of the rainfall.
Speaking on the incident, Chairman of Arab Community, Ntufam Alphonsus Alphonsus, sympathised with affected residents and lamented the recurring flooding in the area.
“We sympathise with families who have lost their properties today because of the heavy rainfall, which has destroyed properties worth an estimated ₦27 million,” he said.
According to him, the community has repeatedly appealed to the government to address the persistent flooding, but those efforts have yielded no positive results.
“The community leadership has done everything within its power to engage the government to intervene in Arab community, but nothing has been done.
“Unfortunately, year after year, we continue to live at the mercy of floodwaters without government assistance that could have helped mitigate this disaster,” the retired civil servant added.
Alphonsus disclosed that more than 100 houses were flooded.
“I have been out of my house since morning after residents alerted me. So far, over one hundred houses have been flooded. The estimated value of damaged property is nothing less than ₦27 million,” he said.
One of the victims, Richard Fomba, a furniture maker, narrated his ordeal with emotion.
“Floodwater entered my children’s room. It was only by God’s grace that my wife noticed in time and moved them onto the bed before the situation became worse,” he said.
Fomba explained that the rainfall initially appeared harmless but quickly turned destructive.
“The rain started without any sign that it would become disastrous. Before anyone realised what was happening, water had entered the sitting room and spread into every room in the house,” he added.
Read also:
- Impact Of Climate Change: Governor Otu Links Cross River Flooding To Prolonged Rainfall, Orders Faster Road Projects
- Cross River Provides Financial Support To Families Of Flood, Landslide Disaster Victims
- Cross River listed among high-risk flood states in 2026, says NEMA
Items destroyed by the flood include furniture, sound systems, books, educational certificates, clothing, kitchen utensils, air conditioners, electric fans and other household valuables.
Residents have appealed to the Cross River State Government to urgently construct proper drainage channels and implement permanent flood control measures to prevent future disasters.
They also called on the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to provide immediate relief materials and humanitarian assistance to affected families.
