By Peter Duru Makurdi
No fewer than seven communities including over 236 residential houses, farmlands and property worth millions of Naira were yesterday destroyed by flood in Otukpo local government area of Benue State following six hours of torrential rain.

Communities and villages affected by the devastation include; Otukpo-Icho, Otukpo-Nobi,  Upu, Emichi,  Amla, Odudaje and Okpomaju while no fewer than 150,000 inhabitants of the communities have also been rendered homeless.

Saturday Vanguard gathered from some of the affected persons that the flood also swept away the only bridge linking residents of Odudaje, Okpomaju, Amla and Emichi to the Otukpo main market and the only hospital at Otukpo-Icho.

The severe flooding which has crippled business and farming activities in the affected communities also swept away farm yields preserved in various locally constructed storage facilities in the affected communities.
The devastation has left the affected without food nor potable water in places where they sought safe haven.

The district head of Otukpo district, Och’Ochtukpo Odu, Chief John Eimonye who spoke to newsmen on phone yesterday expressed worry over the development which he said has rendered thousands of residents homeless.

The paramount ruler who disclosed that no casualty has been recorded in the disaster however expressed satisfaction with the prompt response of officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA whom he said have arrived the affected communities to assess the level of damage.

Most of the victims, he said are presently taking refuge in neighbouring villages where the flood did not wreak much havoc

Chief Eimonye further enjoined health personnel in the state to urgently visit the camp of the displaced person in order to check an outbreak of diseases.