Floods Devastate Farmlands and Homes in Northern Cross River

Ogoja, Cross River State – A deluge of unprecedented proportions has wreaked havoc across Northern Cross River, submerging vast swathes of farmland and residential areas in Ogoja, Yala, and Bekwara Local Government Areas. The catastrophic flooding, triggered by heavy rainfall and the release of excess water into the Cross River and its tributaries, has swept away crops, livelihoods, and homes, plunging communities into despair.

The worst-affected areas include the villages of Adum, Ogba, Izibollo in Ntrigom, Mfuma, and Mbora in South Ukelle wards of Yala Local Government Area, as well as Ezekwe, Okpodon, Wanikade, and Wanihem in North Ukelle wards. Other communities, such as Yahe, Aliforkpa, Ekprinyi, Wodah, and Etekpa in Yala, and Aladim, Ogoja Ndep, and Bansara in Ogoja, have also been severely hit. Rice, yam, cassava, and cocoyam farms, many on the cusp of harvest, have been obliterated, leaving farmers grappling with immense losses.

Visiting the affected areas, this correspondent witnessed scenes of profound anguish. Farmers, particularly women, were visibly distraught, some weeping openly as they surveyed the wreckage of their fields. In Adum, a village in Ntrigom, South Ukelle ward, Madam Cecilia Ugbem, a widow, shared her heartbreak. “Everything I planted is gone—my rice, yam, and cassava farms, all swept away. For the past three weeks, the water level in the river has kept rising. I’ve lived here for over fifty years and never seen anything like this,” she said, her voice heavy with grief. Having lost her husband last year, Madam Ugbem described the flood as a “double tragedy” that has left her destitute.

Another resident of Adum, Idabi Samuel, expressed similar despair. “The water just keeps rising, and it’s stagnant. Any crops not washed away will rot in the water. I haven’t been able to access my farm for three weeks, and even if the water recedes, there’s no point going back,” he said, his tone resigned. The stagnant floodwaters have compounded the destruction, rendering surviving crops unsalvageable.

In Yahe, another hard-hit community, Edra Iyaji recounted how the local river, a tributary of the Cross River, overflowed its banks three weeks ago, devastating crops. “Many of us have nothing left. The yams, rice, and cocoyam we relied on for survival are gone. In three weeks, we’re supposed to celebrate the new yam festival—what will we do?” he asked, his question hanging in the air as a stark reminder of the looming hardship.

At Ogoja Ndep, a community known for its rice cultivation, the floods have decimated nearly all the rice farms. Farmer Adaji Michael showed this reporter the remnants of his crop, now reduced to worthless chaff. “It’s like palm fruit after the oil and kernel have been extracted. When you take it to the mill, it turns to powder with a dark colour and a foul smell. No one can eat it,” he said. “This year, we’re facing massive hunger.”

The Chairman of the Adum community, Mr Kieran Agara, attributed the disaster to the undeniable reality of climate change. “We used to think talk of climate change was a joke, but it’s here, and it’s real. We heard cutting down trees could cause excessive heat, but what we’re seeing is excessive rainfall. It rains here almost every day, and when it comes, it’s torrential,” he said. The relentless downpours have overwhelmed communities unaccustomed to such extreme weather.

The scale of the disaster has prompted desperate pleas for assistance. Farmers and residents are calling on both the state and federal governments to provide urgent relief in the form of food, shelter, and financial aid, particularly for those whose homes have been swept away. The Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), led by Director General Mr Antigua Edem Gill, has been assessing the damage and coordinating relief efforts. Mr Gill noted that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had warned of severe flooding in Cross River this year, and SEMA had conducted awareness campaigns urging residents to avoid farming near rivers. “Many of these farmers have worked these lands for years with minimal flooding, so they didn’t expect this. But this year’s floods have been unprecedented,” he said.

SEMA is collaborating with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), which has sent a representative to evaluate the extent of the damage. “We’re compiling data on those affected and appealing to individuals, NGOs, and international organisations to help mitigate the impact of this disaster,” Mr Gill added. In addition to material aid, SEMA is providing counselling to help residents cope with the psychological toll of their losses. “Imagine someone who harvested 200 bags of rice, ready to take them home, only for the flood to sweep everything away overnight. That kind of loss could push someone to the edge. We’re working to ensure people don’t lose hope or take drastic steps,” he said.

As the waters linger and the prospect of hunger looms, the affected communities face an uncertain future. With crops destroyed and homes lost, the people of Northern Cross River are looking to the government and the wider world for support to rebuild their lives in the wake of this devastating natural disaster.