Several persons, including children, were severely injured, while more than 200 houses were destroyed after a downpour accompanied by heavy storms hit Calabar, the Cross River State capital, on Wednesday evening.

After two hours of intensive rains, vehicular movements were also disrupted, trees and electric poles were brought down, roof tops were blown off, and several buildings were destroyed, rendering many persons homeless.

The storm also brought down several electricity poles in different parts of the city, forcing the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) to cut off power supply from the affected areas.

The rain, which started with a heavy windstorm and thunder and lasted for about two hours, also disrupted economic activities as the metropolis was overflooded and major drains were blocked.

Major streets affected by the rain include Murtala Mohammed Highway, Calabar Road, Mary Slessor Avenue, Effio-Ette Junction, Target -Goldie Street axis, UNICAL community, Atimbo Road, and 8-Miles.

Meanwhile, the state government on Wednesday, advised residents of the affected areas to take precautions by trimming overgrown trees in and around their vicinity.

The Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, in a statement, urged residents to avoid broken-down electricity poles and wires to ward off any impending danger or fatality.

Ekpang implored all relevant government agencies and officials, including the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, to rectify damages caused to electricity facilities in the wake of the disaster to restore power supply and clear the debris in the overall interest of the citizens.

The government urged residents to exercise caution as they go about their businesses to avoid casualties. (The Guardian)