Many homes situated in flood-prone communities in 5 completely different native authorities areas throughout Anambra State have been submerged by flood following the rising water degree from the River Niger and different associated water actions.
5 native authorities areas have been affected by the flood together with the Anambra West, Anambra East, Ogbaru, Awka North and Ayamelum native authorities areas.
Movies and footage at present trending on social media present residents, together with youngsters wading via the waters, with submerged homes, markets, church buildings, colleges, and different personal and public services.
In one of many movies, a resident in one of many badly hit communities of Mmiata-Anam, Anambra West LGA, recognized as Nnoru Anaekwe, narrated how residents of the group now paddle or trip in picket canoes to their locations, as main elements of the group and the native authorities space have been flooded.
One of many movies additionally confirmed when the Deputy Native Authorities Chairman of the Anambra West Native Authorities Space, Mrs Edith Ndive, was driving in a picket canoe to her home.
One other video additionally captured some flood-submerged college buildings, in addition to youngsters paddling canoes and swimming within the flood.
In 2023 over 40 individuals reportedly died in a ship mishap that occurred alongside the Mmiata-Anam river, Anambra West LGA, when their boat hit a bridge and capsized within the waters.
The boat hit the bridge because of the rising water degree. The victims of that tragedy have been largely girls and youngsters who have been escaping to safer floor.
When contacted on the event, on Thursday, the State Commissioner for Setting, Felix Odimegwu, stated the state authorities and related authorities have been conscious of the scenario and have been already offering essential interventions.
Odimegwu stated the water degree had risen previously few weeks, noting that the scenario is being monitored.
He stated, “The Anambra State Authorities Flood Administration Staff with personnel from NEMA, SEMA, Worldwide Organisation for Migration and the Pink Cross Society are transferring round gathering information on the scenario on the Internally Displaced Individuals camps.
“The state authorities has supplied some interventions and aid supplies to date to the individuals, with over 27 camps to date activated.
“No fewer than 5 native authorities areas have to date been affected by the flood, which embrace the Anambra West, Anambra East, Ogbaru, Awka North, and Ayamelum native authorities areas.”
In accordance with him, the state authorities is healthier ready for the flood, including that the Ministry and the whole Flood Administration Staff have been issuing early warning alerts nearly each two days, exhibiting the water degree is rising.
The commissioner stated the state obtained aid supplies, together with about 2,400 cartons of meals gadgets from Financial institution of Industries, including that the meals gadgets comprised noodles, vegetable oil, Semovita, flour, salt and sugar.
He stated these supplies have been distributed on Tuesday to the 5 native governments beneath risk in the mean time.
Though he couldn’t verify the overall variety of displaced individuals to date, the commissioner stated that the info have been being generated, because the missions have been transferring across the space since Tuesday.
He added, “Water degree has risen previously few weeks. We’re monitoring the scenario. In the meantime a crew of ANSG Flood Administration Staff with these from NEMA, SEMA, IOM, Pink Cross, are transferring round gathering information of the scenario on the IDP camps.
“Due to early warning alerts, now we have been issuing out alerts each two days displaying the water ranges because it modifications, we have been higher ready. Lots of the residents have moved to increased grounds and sorted shelter with their associates and relations. Others are at IDP camps.
“We now have activated 27 camps. And the camps are able to obtain displaced individuals as they arrive.
“The state has additionally obtained baggage of beans, rice, noodles from Church of Jesus Latter Day Saints. These will probably be distributed any second from now to the camps.
“The native authorities mayors are actively concerned in ensuring that sufficient fundamental provides are supplied, that feeding is activated on the camps.”