Edo State, Nigeria — Severe flooding has ravaged multiple communities in Edo State, causing widespread destruction, loss of life, and displacing residents.
Udaba, a community in Etsako Central Local Government Area, has been hit particularly hard, with floodwaters so severe that graves have been uprooted and corpses washed out of their resting places, sparking distress among residents.
The flood’s impact extends beyond Udaba, reaching other communities across Etsako East, Etsako Central, and Esan South East local government areas. Affected communities include Anegbete, Ekperi, Osomhegbe, Ogoimeri, Iyowa, Ofukpu, Ifekhu, Agenebode, Ubiaja, and Ilushi, among others.
Joseph Odemokpai, Councillor for Ward 8 in Etsako Central, confirmed the distressing situation. “In Udaba, some dead bodies have been washed away from the grave by the flood,” he stated, describing the overwhelming crisis.
Beyond the unsettling displacement of corpses, the flooding has brought about intense cold, which has reportedly claimed additional lives in the community. “Some persons have even died as a result of the severe cold due to the flood,” Odemokpai added, underscoring the compounded risks facing locals.
The flood has also devastated agriculture in the region. Houses, farmlands, and staple crops—such as cassava, rice, and yam—are now submerged, while farm produce, livestock, and other properties have been swept away by the rising waters. Odemokpai noted that the situation remains critical, with water levels still dangerously high in many areas.
Efforts are underway to relocate residents to safety camps, as floodwaters continue to inundate entire communities, including Ward 9 and Ward 10 areas like Anegbete, Udochi, Ogomere, and Ifekhu. Local government councils are mobilizing resources, but officials are calling for additional support.
“We need the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Edo State Emergency Management Agency (EdoSEMA) to intervene and assist these communities,” Odemokpai urged.
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