Windstorms have destroyed over 463 houses in three local government areas in Cross River, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said.

NEMA said no fewer than 1,326 households were worst affected by the effects of the windstorm in the Obudu, Yala and Ogoja local government areas.

“On the whole, the windstorm disaster that affected Yala, Obudu and Ogoja local government areas destroyed over 463 houses and affected 1,326 households,” the zonal coordinator of South-South NEMA, Godwin Tepikor, said.

Mr Tepikor added that his team were taken around the affected areas by the council officials and youths from the communities on Monday.

In Obudu, the team visited the affected communities of Bewbone, Abonkib, Bebuagbong, Igwo and Okworutung.

Mr Tepikor explained that the assessment followed a save our soul report from the chairman of the Obudu council area, Boniface Eraye, following the windstorm on April 12.

“The disaster affected 503 households and damaged 249 buildings and other household property in Obudu local government area,” he stated. “Also, in the Yala local government area, we visited five communities affected by the windstorm. The communities were Okpoma, Otuche, Olachor, Idigbo and Igbekurikor.”

The storm occurred on April 5, affected 486 households, 214 buildings and destroyed household belongings, including economic trees in the affected communities.

Mr Tepikor also mentioned that the windstorm in the Ogoja area on April 5 affected Ishibori, Ukelle, Ogboje and Abakpa communities.

According to him, 337 households were affected by the disaster, while several houses and property were destroyed, including economic trees.

(NAN)