Severe flooding in the Rumaholu-Nkpolu Pipeline Area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State has displaced over 200 families, leaving many residents grappling with the aftermath of the disaster.
The PUNCH reported that the local inhabitants pointed out the flooding has not only submerged homes but also caused snakes and other reptiles to emerge from the waters, creating an additional layer of fear and danger.
Residents recounted that this flooding phenomenon first struck in 2017, allegedly due to illegal constructions obstructing waterways.
Speaking to newsmen on Tuesday, a resident named Thomas shared the harrowing reality faced by his community.
He explained that during flood events, families often find themselves forced to leave their homes for as long as seven months, waiting for the waters to recede.
In 2024, the situation escalated when they saw snakes surfacing, prompting many to flee immediately.
“If you follow me now into each house that has been abandoned, you will find about six snakes,” Thomas remarked.
He further detailed the nighttime hazards, stating, “During the night, if you don’t have any torchlight, especially while coming down from the staircase, you will see snakes. Sometimes, we almost step on the snakes, and that is why most of us ran away.”
A female resident, who wished to remain anonymous, placed the blame on property owners who have constructed homes on canals, disrupting the natural flow of water.
Tearfully, she urged the state government to assist in building an underground drainage system in their area.
“We use boats to paddle into our houses,” she lamented, emphasizing the dire conditions they face.
The looting of abandoned homes has compounded their distress, with many returning to find their properties stripped bare.
“We left the house and locked the place. But before we came back, they looted everything from my house. We are just starting all over again,” she said, her voice filled with despair.
Chairman of the Landlords Association in the Rumaholu-Nkpolu Pipeline Area, Kalu Chukwuma, echoed the residents’ calls for government intervention.
He urged the Rivers State Government to act on the recommendations made by the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning a few years ago.
“Check for yourself; you can see many houses, even storey buildings affected. Though this area was well planned, unfortunately, nobody knew what happened,” he said, reflecting on the sudden increase in flooding.
Chukwuma suggested that the government should ensure proper water channels are created to guide floodwaters to the appropriate canals.
“Maybe some areas have been blocked without us knowing because this was not happening until 2017. Let the government help us by opening up the place or channeling the water to another area,” he added, highlighting the urgent need for action.
He also expressed concern for the health of community members, stating, “The worst is that when the level of water is high, it starts coming from the ground with snakes. We have taken some people to hospitals, especially our neighbors who don’t have anybody to help them.”
As the residents of Rumaholu-Nkpolu Pipeline Area navigate this challenging situation, their hopes remain pinned on government assistance to alleviate their plight and address the underlying causes of the flooding.
