Tragedy struck yesterday in Wurukum, a suburb of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, when it was alleged that a 15-year-old boy was killed by heavy rain that wrecked havoc in the Food Basket state, just as no fewer than 1,000 houses witnessed flooding. The Wurukum International Market was also seriously affected by the rain.
The rain, which started at about 10:30am, resulted in a wave of powerful tide, which flowed into the ever busy Wurukum market, located along Abu King Shuluwa Road, opposite the Benue Links Transport Company and destroyed goods and property worth millions of naira. The down pour lasted for over seven hours.
But the ugly development in the market was seen by traders and customers as a result of the neglect by state Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment to construct suitable bridge or culvert at the market’s entrance which, according to them, the contract had been awarded.
It would be recalls that more than 300 shops, 500 houses, goods and valuable items were, in September 2011, flooded by a heavy rainfall in the area.
LEADERSHIP SUNDAY observed yesterday that the Living Faith Church and the Kingdom Heritage Academy, both in Wurukum, were overflowed by water, even as worshipers who attended church services could not get entry into the churches.
Houses in some of the areas including Idye village, along Police B’ Division, the Media Village in Atsusa, Wadata, BNARDA area and the popular Nyiman layout were completely flooded, down to the major drainage that begun from Nyiman, through Wurukum to the River Benue.
The popular Kenville Amusement Park, located at High-Level Roundabout was badly affected, as the entire modern resting huts built in the place were totally flooded by water. About seven kiosks, positioned in the park, were totally floating on the waters.
Cars and motorcycles parked at the place were also knocked down due to the flood.