Lamentations As Flood Sacks Anambra Communities

The residents of Anambra State have continued to lament, following the sacking of many from their homes by flood.

Already, no fewer than 36 communities in four local government areas of the state have been sub­merged.

The affected local government areas are Anam­bra West, Ayamelum, some parts of Anambra East and Ogbaru.

The state government led by Governor Chuk­wuma Soludo, had been warning the residents to relocate from their areas to avoid regret, especially those at the riverine areas.

The flooding has left many people homeless especially, those who believed flooding would not occur this year.

Some of them were shocked when the surge came unexpectedly, but some of the farmers had already cleared their produce before the flooding.

Mrs Comfort Okonkwo, while speaking with The Nation on phone, said her family had relocated to Otuocha to seek refuge.

The middle aged farmer said, already they had harvested their farm produce at Anambra West before the flooding arrived.

In Mmiata Anam, Ukwala, and other commu­nities in Anambra East and West, farmers had harvested their crops to avoid being caught unpre­pared.

Prince Chris Okwuosa from Umuzu in Ogbaru local government area expressed concern, saying they thought the flood would not come again this year despite the warnings.

“We thought that the flood would not come this year because the usual period for flooding has passed. By now, the flood should have been receding, but it is coming late.”

“We have started removing our belongings, and each day we witness the floodwaters increasing, contrary to what we’ve seen in the past. Other com­munities like Amiyi and Ogbakuba are becoming submerged,” Okwuosa said.

Sir Michael Chukwusa, the President General of Akili Ogidi Community in Ogbaru, also stated that this year’s flood is coming late.

“About eight towns have already been sub­merged. From Atani to Ochuche, Ogwuikpele, Og­wuaniocha, and my town, Akili Ogidi, have all been affected by the flooding, forcing people to relocate to higher grounds.”

The Commissioner for Environment in Anam­bra state, Felix Odumegwu, said the government had been active in resolving the situation.

He attributed the late flooding this year to cli­mate change, adding, “Flooding occurs due to in­tense prolonged rainfall. Climate change is a signifi­cant contributor to this late flooding. Globally, cities like Valencia in Spain, Italy, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and various parts of the USA have experienced se­vere weather that has led to flash flooding.”