FLOODS, MUDSLIDES DISPLACE 347 RESIDENTS ACROSS CROSS RIVER

No fewer than 347 residents have been displaced by floods and mudslides that affected several communities across Cross River State, leaving homes damaged and families in need of temporary shelter. The Director-General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Efa Nyong, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists in Calabar, the state capital.

Nyong said 167 people were rendered homeless after a mudslide occurred in Calabar, while another 180 residents were displaced following heavy rainfall in the Central Senatorial District. He added that the affected residents were currently being accommodated at different locations in Calabar and parts of the Central Senatorial District.

The SEMA boss attributed the disasters to both natural occurrences and human activities, particularly practices that increase the risk of flooding. He said he had visited communities in the Southern and Central Senatorial Districts to sensitise residents on disaster prevention, with plans to extend the campaign to the Northern Senatorial District.

Nyong identified indiscriminate dumping of refuse as one of the major factors contributing to flooding in the state. He explained that waste dumped in one location could eventually obstruct waterways and cause flooding several kilometres away, warning residents to properly dispose of their waste.

He said the agency had received relief materials and financial support from government and private donors as efforts continued to stabilise and resettle the displaced residents. Nyong also explained that emergency response begins with local emergency management committees, with incidents beyond their capacity escalated to the state agency and, where necessary, the National Emergency Management Agency.