[dropcap]O[/dropcap]ko communities in Delta State, have been swept by flood. Oko community made up of Oko-Ogbele, Oko-Amakom and Oko-Anala appeared to be the worst hit.
Though no fewer than 3000 buildings, including public and private schools in the area, had been sacked by the flood, which is now threatening to invade other towns and villages, some of the affected families were yet to vacate their submerged homes, which are littered with floating human and household wastes. Though the areas, like several other communities on the bank of Forcados River, are subjected to perennial flooding, the rising volume of water has been a source of grave concern to the natives, many of whom are now exposed to the vagaries of the elements.
A concerned native, Mr. Ifedi Alibo, while lamenting the plight of the affected families, said unless urgent remedial steps were taken by the authorities, there might be an outbreak of epidemic in the areas as some of those displaced were still relying on the polluted water from their boreholes and wells for drinking and domestic use.
He pleaded with the authorities to find a lasting solution to the flood menace and save them the bitter experience of losing all their life savings and property in one swoop to the flood.