Over 9,650 persons have been severely affected by a recent devastating windstorm that ravaged about 11 communities in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The storm, which took the people by surprise at about 1 a.m. and lasted for several hours, left behind in its trail deroofed residential houses, public buildings, business centers, and clinics, including critical infrastructure such as electrical installations.

Trees were either pulled down or shattered from their branches, falling onto houses, most of which crumbled under their weight.

The unprecedented storm, which moved at a very high speed, did not spare anything standing in its way, as different kinds of trees expected to act as windbreakers were uprooted and tossed about, eventually landing on houses or major highways, obstructing traffic.

The scenario became even more pathetic as over 30 injured persons could not be evacuated for immediate treatment due to fallen trees blocking major roads and inhibiting traffic flow.

In the midst of the commotion, many were carried either on wheelbarrows or locally constructed stretchers to medical centers several kilometers away for emergency attention.

As a result of the catastrophe, more than half of the affected persons are displaced and are currently squatting with relatives or in parts of the surviving structures, further heightening their vulnerability as they are exposed to the already unfriendly weather elements.

A father of four children, aged between 2 and 9 years old, Mr. Edet Oben, whose entire roof of a one-room apartment was completely removed and the corrugated sheets destroyed, mourned with grief uncontrollably when approached by our correspondent for comments on the incident.

The family is living in a very sorry state, with some of the children suffering from cold-related diseases due to exposure to the inclement weather conditions.

Most homes harboring the displaced were in poor situations as facilities such as conveniences, beddings, and accommodation were overstretched, while supplies such as food and toiletries were grossly in short supply.

Students of boarding schools such as the Immaculate Conception Junior Seminary, Mfamosing, who had their dormitory as well as other critical infrastructure destroyed, are equally passing through trying times.

Rev. Fr. Joseph Eyo of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish, Mfamosing, whose church building, school, and residential quarters were destroyed by the storm, said that the church was helpless and needed urgent assistance.

Carrying out a rapid assessment of the disaster, the Director General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Antigha Gill, described the disaster as devastating and requiring urgent attention.

Mr. Antigha, who was in the company of the House of Assembly Member for Akamkpa 2 State Constituency, Hon. Linus Etim, sympathized with the victims and promised that concerted efforts would be made to draw the attention of the State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, to address the ugly situation.

The Director General said that, meanwhile, relevant departments of his agency have been activated to urgently document the incident for proper and comprehensive management and called for cooperation with the team.

The House of Assembly Member for Akamkpa 2 State Constituency, Hon. Linus Etim, said that the situation at hand required urgent attention, stressing that delays could aggravate it into health, psychological, economic, and other social concerns.

The Akamkpa Local Government Chairman, Ntufam Felix Akposi, lamented that the magnitude and severity of the disaster were overwhelming and far beyond the capacity of the Council to handle. He urged the state government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other philanthropic groups and individuals to come to the aid of the victims.

The Councillor for Ojuk North and leader of the Local Government Legislature, Princess Magdalene Ekpe, and her counterpart from Ojuk South Ward, Hon. Vincent Ndifon, described the incident as the most devastating in the two wards and requested special attention to the most vulnerable, including women and children, whom they emphasized were in very precarious states of health and sanitary needs.

They pointed out that a large population of the victims were incapable of returning to normalcy due to their financial status unless they were urgently relieved.