By: Ovedhe Jerry

Residents of Owhelogbo, Otor-Igho, and Ozoro communities all in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State are not smiling as many of the residents have been rendered homeless, with properties worth millions of naira destroyed in the floods that have submerged over 100 houses in the communities mentioned above.

Our correspondent gathered that the flooding was as result of the heavy down pour of rain that fall over the weekend, while the water channels are being blocked with refuses.

Speaking to our correspondent, Eniwho Emmanuel a student, whose house was flooded along Urude in Ozoro, said that it only rain within and before the end of the 3hours the whole places has been flooded with water.

“This is so surprising to me, I have been hearing of flood from rainfall but this is first time am experiencing it. The reason why the whole place is being flooded with water is that, the drains and water channels are being blocked with refuse. Since I packed into this house, they have not packed the drains any day. Even when it is environmental day. You won’t see anyone to pack the drains.”

Also speaking a 70 years old retired teacher, Mrs Emonena Udubra, residing Igbrude road in Owhelogbo said that, she has been experiencing flood in her area whenever a heavy downfall of rain occur, since her husband built their house.

In her words, “the reason why we are always experiencing flood in this whole area whenever it rains is that, there are no drains or water channels in this area. As you can see, no way for the water to flood down to the stream on the drains on the back the next street. We have lost so many of our goods to this flood. My garri and other foods are wet. I and my children couldn’t sleep all throughout the past night.

A victim in the community, Mr. Samuel Efedhua, who lamented that the community might be wiped out by flood if urgent steps were not taken avert the flooding. He appealed to the various tiers of government to come to their aid.

Other victims of the parts of the communities being flooded ascribed the flooding to unavailable of drains and water channel in the area.

They said: “We are apologizing to the state and local government authorities to come to our aids by constructing drains and water channels across the various communities. You can see that from the beginning of this street down to the end of Igbrude road and across to Otor-Igho, there are no drains or water channels. So how can the water flow? If we have drains and water channels in our streets and along our roads. We can always clear it, in order to avert the flood.”

As at the time of filing this report, effort to reach the HOD Environment in the Isoko North Local Government Council, Mr Job Owhefere for comment proved abortive as his phone line were not reachable. But the media aide to the Isoko North Local Government Chairman, Mr. Moses Omovevah ascribed the flooding within the Ozoro metropolis as a result of manmade actions like dumping of refuse in drains and blocking water channels.