Five people, including four children, have died following a landslide triggered by days of heavy rainfall in Cross River state as emergency agencies intensify disaster response amid a growing wave of floods and rainstorms affecting communities across Nigeria.
The landslide occurred Saturday at Ikot Anwatim Community in Calabar Municipality, while flooding simultaneously inundated parts of Calabar South local government area.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said two other persons—an adult and a child were injured, while the total number of affected residents is yet to be determined.
The incident is among the deadliest rain-related disasters recorded in Cross River this rainy season.
In a statement posted on Facebook Tuesday, the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA) said it immediately conducted an on-the-spot assessment with the Nigerian Red Cross Society to assess the extent of the disaster and provide support to affected families.
The assessment team, led by CR-SEMA Director General Efa Nyong, visited the scene and assured victims that humanitarian assistance was being processed.
In the statement, the agency said: “Five lives lost. Two were hospitalised. One community in mourning.”
It added: “This heartbreaking incident is a reminder that disasters can happen without warning. Let’s all stay alert, report signs of erosion or unstable land early, and avoid high-risk areas, especially during this rainy season.” (Premium Times)