A one-year-old child has died after flooding from a strong downpour washed into her family’s flat in Calabar, Cross River State.
Rain which started at approximately 2am today, entered residences along Mayne Avenue, off Atu Street, Calabar South Local Government Area, leaving inhabitants counting their losses, reports Vanguard.
Residents said the youngster and her parents were asleep as floodwaters pushed into their house, filling the room before they could do anything.
A witness, Victoria Otu, said the water had risen to the level of the parents’ necks before they recognised the danger and could not save the infant.
Otu also revealed she lost a lot, including her academic scores, other crucial documents, clothes and household items, all washed away by the water.
Another resident and businessman, Emmanuel Effiong, said he lost more than 2,000 empty containers and described the occurrence as a big loss to his business.
Other residents said they lost certificates, textbooks, food items and other personal possessions.
The flood also resulted in widespread damage to the infrastructure, with drainage pipes and walls collapsing in portions of the community.
In some places, roads were washed away, leaving large fissures and uneven surfaces that today pose dangers to drivers and walkers.
The residents have called on the Cross River State Government and the Calabar South Local Government Council to swiftly restore the damaged drainage systems and roads to forestall the loss of more lives and property in case of future heavy rainfall.
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