Heavy rainstorm damages shops and farmlands in Ebonyi.

By Jeff Agbodo, Abakaliki

ABAKALIKI — A heavy rainfall combined with a windstorm caused extensive damage in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, destroying farmlands and commercial premises.

The downpour, which lasted roughly three hours on Saturday, triggered severe flooding that submerged farmlands along the Abakaliki–Afikpo Expressway. Strong winds also blew off the roofs of several shops, damaging property worth millions of naira.

Shop owners reported significant losses as the storm destroyed buildings and ruined goods.

A trader on Afikpo Road, Mr. Jude Orji, said several shops were affected, with roofs blown off and traders forced to evacuate their merchandise quickly.

“The rainstorm caused extensive damage. Many shop owners lost valuable goods, while traders dealing in electrical appliances recorded huge losses after their products were soaked by rainwater,” he said.

Farmers also expressed heavy losses, noting that crops such as yam, cassava, maize, rice, melon, and others were destroyed when the flood swept through their fields.

Another victim, Mr. Onyeka Nwode, said the area had experienced continuous rainfall in the past week before the recent destruction.

“We invested huge sums of money in our farms, but everything has been washed away by the flood. To ensure food production, we may have to start planting all over again if the flood recedes,” he said.

He appealed to the Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to assess the extent of the damage and provide relief to affected communities.

“We are predominantly farmers. We cultivate our crops early to support all-season farming, but regrettably, the flood has destroyed everything,” he added.

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