Flooding: Delta communities struggle amid rising waters, victims seek aid

Severe flooding has wreaked havoc some communities  across  Delta State in Nigeria, displacing thousands of residents and causing widespread damage not only to homes but also to lives (both human and livestocks), infrastructures, and farmlands.

Heavy rainfall, compounded by poor drainage systems and rising river levels, has led to some of the worst flooding the country has ever in recent years.

In recent weeks, communities in the state such as Ayakoromo, Ofonibaingha, Bobougbene, and Gbekebor communities all-in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State have found themselves underwater as local residents battle to save their belongings and, in many cases, their lives.

PEBNEWS reports that the flood disaster 2024 affected many houses and vehicles, destroying hundreds of hectares of land in Ayakoromo.

As floodwaters continue to rise, there is a growing concern about the spread of waterborne diseases, such as cholera, typhoid, and malaria among others.

Speaking with Keke Edisemi, Health Worker in Ayakoromo Primary Health Centre (PHC) said: "Before the flood, the rate of malaria and other waterborne diseases was not much, but due to the flood it is high now."

"We don't have enough drugs, we lack drugs because  the residents we treat are more than drugs we have, so we're pleading to  the state government to assist us with drugs and the community to have  better health." Edisemi added.

While Apostle Jones Miekoromo, a primary school teacher said: "if you go to Obodo Primary School now, all the classrooms and offices are submerged with waters, so we're on pool of water now."

The Community Chairman of Okrika, popularly known as Ofonibaingha, also emphasized how their source of living was destroyed by flood. Further appealed for assistance from the state governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori.

"Our major source of livelihood is fishing and farming, and now, all our plantain, cassava, potato, and yam farms have been damaged, so hunger is something else. We are just managing with the little we've harvested before now.

"I appeal to the state government to  sandfill our community against the next raining season so that flood won't affect us again. Also, the government should assist us with food relief items, we have nothing now." Okrika Chairman stated. 

In Gbekebor Community, rivers have overflowed, submerging houses, business centres and roads as many residents have been forced to flee their homes with little or no property  such as clothes and others.

Chief Peter Arerebo, Gbekebor Community Vice Chairman says: "Na every year we dey suffer flood, to eat is a problem, no where to sleep, things are very difficult, please, let Governor come to our aid."