Over 4,000 persons have been displaced and about 900 farms destroyed, following a persistent rainfall in the past three weeks in Cross River State.

Such crops as rice, cassava, yam, vegetables, cocoa and palms were destroyed by the flood that followed the down pour.

Over 1,200 houses were also flooded, causing the displacement of many persons, currently squatting with neighbours, friends and relatives.

The incident, according to a release issued by the Assistant Director with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. David Akate, occurred in some communities in Ogoja, Obudu, Yala, Ikom, Etung, Boki, Abi and Biase local government areas.

Assessing the disaster, the Director General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, John Inaku, said the disaster was as a result of climate change, as predicted by NIMET some months ago.

The Director-General urged the farmers to exercise patience, as government was taking pragmatic steps and mobilising stakeholders to intervene in the disaster.

He, however, advised that caution should be taken by farmers carrying out emergency harvesting of the flooded crops to avoid drowning, while those in flooded homes should evacuate to higher grounds without delay. (The Guardian)

•Photo shows flooded community.

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