Anambra begins evacuation of residents in flood-prone communities

The Anambra State government has begun the immediate evacuation of residents living in riverine communities of the state as a result of flooding that is spreading due to rising water levels in the River Niger and Benue in the past few days.

It was gathered that some of the communities already hit by the flood include the Ogbaru, Anambra West, and Ayamelum local government areas of the state.

Our correspondent, who visited the Atani community in Ogbaru LG on Friday, observed that the flood has spread around the community with every activity at a standstill.

The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, Paul Odenigbo, who disclosed the news of the evacuation while speaking to journalists in Awka, the Anambra State capital, on Friday, said floods hit the communities Wednesday.

Odenigbo stated that, as an emergency response agency, the state government has provided the necessary support to relocate people to safer areas and mitigate the worsening impacts of the floods as rainfall persists.

He said, “In some local governments, plans have been finalised to use boats to evacuate over 3,000 inhabitants willing to move to higher ground.

“The state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has made available essential items for those in various holden camps in the state to ensure they are comfortable during their stay.

“Items distributed to the local government areas of Ogbaru, Anambra West, and Ayamelum include blankets, mattresses, buckets, and cartons of soap and detergents.”

According to him, the camps have been well prepared, with conveniences, water supply and other relevant logistics provided by the government.

He urged the public to heed the latest warnings from relevant agencies and to pack essential items such as certificates, documents, and medications that they will need while in the camps.

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency had on Thursday, October, issued a fresh alert urging communities along coastal lines to relocate without further delay.