Torrential Rain Wrecks Havoc In Rivers Community
Edith CHUKU
Incessant heavy rainfall in Rivers State has brought mayhem on some natives and residents of Rumuewhara Community in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
Affected residents have lamented over the devastating experience that follows after every downpour, even as they urged the state government to channel the water to ensure proper flow into drainages.
They explained that some of their property have been destroyed and their building badly affected by the situation.
Some residents narrated how they have to stay vigilant to prevent the water from flooding their houses, while there are those who have no alternative but to engage in bailing water out from their homes, shops after each downpour.
Speaking with TNN in an interview on Wednesday, Mr. Samuel Ihunwo explained that, “it’s really terrible, very terrible but what can we do? Infact I should say that it’s part of us, we are used to it.
“I am an indigene. This is what we experience every year, this one is even small. Every year I send my mother to my elder sister’s house because of this problem. My children too, I just manage with my wife.
“It’s not safe at all, but will I abandon my house and run?”
Ihunwo suggested that, “for me ooo, the solution is to channel the water well, that’s all. The road is higher than all the compounds, houses and shops, the drainage too is too high, so, it takes time before water will find way out.
“When it rains, water from the road will enter the gutters but because our houses, compounds are very low, the one that fell in our compound will remain.
“When it fall like this, our bed will soak, house, water everywhere but we are begging government, they should help us.”
Also speaking, Mrs. Chituru Amadi, a shop owner narrated her own ordeal. “Na so we see am o. I no dey live here, na just my shop dey here.
“Water dey enter my shop, na bailer and pocket I dey use pack am commot, no be new thing. We no like am. Shop cheap small here na em make I dey manage.”
Further, Mrs Imaobong Henry, mother of two, supported the call for government urgent intervention to salvage the situation, which she said has not been pleasant.
