By Emma Una

CALABAR—Over 321 houses in North and South Ukelle in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State were reportedly pulled down by a rainstorm that rendered about 5,000 people homeless.

The first downpour of the year that lasted over four hours was reportedly accompanied by fierce wind and thunderstorm with the villages of Ipolo, Mfuma, Wanudu, Ntrigom severely affected.

The Community Relations Officer for the area, Mr. Vincent Egbe, told Vanguard that many families are now sleeping in the open, while some are taking refuge with neighbours and relatives whose houses were not affected.

His words: “The damage is widespread and affected many villages.

“It is one of the most devastating storms in our area in recent times, as about 93 three houses were flattened, while 228 others were partially damaged.”

He said the rainstorm brought woes to the people, who have been subjected to intense heat wave for the past four months and have been expecting relief from rainfall.

Mr. John Inaku, Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, said he has dispatched a team to the area to assess the level of damage and how the people can be assisted until relief materials are sent to them to rebuild their houses.

According to Inaku, “we are being overwhelmed as a state by frequent natural and man-made disasters.”

He said temporary shelters will be provided to the people, particularly children and the elderly, to avoid any casualty owing to exposure to the elements.

“We did not record any death during the storm and we are thankful to God for that.

“So we have to take urgent steps to ensure that nobody dies from undue exposure to the weather.”