Deadly Flood Hits Ebonyi, Claims 12 Lives, Destroys Over 800 Farms.

Devastating Flood in Ebonyi Claims Lives, Submerges Over 800 Farmlands

A severe flood that struck a plantain plantation community in Enohia Itim, located within the Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, has left a tragic toll. At least eight people have lost their lives, and more than 800 farmland plots have been submerged, according to local officials.

Date of Ebonyi Flood incident

The incident occurred on Friday, August 1, 2025, following intense rainfall that caused rivers to overflow and agricultural land to be inundated. This disaster has brought immense sorrow to families and farmers alike.

Chairman of Afikpo LGA, Engr. Timothy Nwachi, confirmed the fatalities and expressed heartfelt condolences to the grieving households. “We are deeply pained by this tragedy,” he said. “Our thoughts are with the bereaved families. As local leaders, we will leverage every available resource and collaborate with both state and federal agencies to provide humanitarian aid and necessary relief efforts.”

Number of casualties in Ebonyi Flood

Councillor Francis Abani Okpani, who represents Itim Ward in the Afikpo Legislative Council, provided additional details, revealing that of the eight confirmed victims, three bodies have been recovered, while five remain unaccounted for. Among those confirmed dead were children, a heartbreaking reminder of the flood’s indiscriminate impact.

Okpani further emphasized that the Federal Ministry of Environment had earlier identified Afikpo as a high-risk area prone to flooding. In anticipation of these risks, he had urged local residents to integrate climate change projections into flood management strategies. “We should not be caught unaware,” he stated. “Residents in vulnerable zones must proactively relocate to safer grounds, and community drainage systems need regular maintenance to avoid obstructions.”

He also advocated for the improvement of drainage infrastructure and urged residents to keep waterways clear of debris to mitigate flood risks in the future.