By Stanley Ekpenyong, Calabar
Calabar, the sleepy capital of Cross River state was Thursday evening rudely awakened by a devastating rainstorm, leaving wanton destruction on its trail.
Described as “Nature’s #ENDSARS, by some residents in reference to the wanton destruction and looting unleashed on the city by hoodlums during the #ENDSARS protest last October, the rainstorm blew off roofs, destroyed electric poles and cables and unpturned cars, kiosks etc in several parts of the city.
The usually tree-lined streets and roads of Calabar have also been greatly defaced by fallen trees, causing untold traffic gridlock, a phenomenon alien to the city.
For example, the popular Murtala Muhammed Highway, IBB way and Etta Agbor axis of the city are all littered with fallen trees.
Several shop owners at Etta Agbor roundabout escaped death by the whiskers when a giant tree along the road fell on their shops.
The Hope Waddle Institute and the General Hospital, were both very badly affected.
Meanwhile, officials of the Cross River state Ministry of Environment have been battling to clear the roads.
Officials of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution company could also be seen fixing damaged poles and cables in order to restore power to many parts of the city plunged into darkness by the ravaging storm.
