The Anambra State Government has issued a strong warning to residents in areas prone to flooding, urging them to evacuate immediately to avoid potential dangers. This comes in response to rising water levels in the River Niger, exacerbated by the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon and increased upstream activities in Niger Republic and Mali.
In a statement released on social media platforms on Saturday, the State Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu, identified 10 local government areas as high-risk zones. These include Ogbaru, Ayamelum, Anambra East, Anambra West, Onitsha South, Onitsha North, Awka North, Idemili South, Ekwusigo, and Ihiala. Nwosu emphasized the need for residents to relocate their crops, poultry, fish ponds, and domestic animals to safer locations without delay.
This advisory follows consistent heavy rainfall and numerous warnings from the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency and the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency about potential flooding.
Nwosu also reminded residents that the state’s internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, established by Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, remain operational. He urged families to move vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly, women, and children, to these camps for safety.
“The state government has maintained these IDP camps to ensure the safety of all residents,” Nwosu stated. “We strongly encourage those in high-risk areas to make use of these facilities immediately. The government is also collaborating with local emergency management committees to provide further assistance and information.”
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As part of the flood preparedness efforts, the Anambra State Flood Response Committee, led by Deputy Governor Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, is working closely with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to provide updated guidance to communities likely to be affected by the flooding. Local government leaders and community heads are expected to adhere strictly to forthcoming directives to protect lives and property.
Reports indicate that some residents in riverine communities along the River Niger are already taking precautionary measures. Igwe Chidume Orenu, the traditional ruler of Omor Community in Ayamelum Local Government Area, has advised his people to move to higher ground and begin harvesting crops early to mitigate potential losses.
Similarly, Nkechi Eche, a resident of Ogbaru Local Government Area, noted that many in her community have started relocating their properties and livestock in anticipation of the floods. “We remember the devastating floods of 2022, where homes were submerged for months. We are taking no chances this year,” she said.
In a related development, the Director General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Umar Mohammed, issued a statement last Friday, warning that floodwaters from the River Niger system, originating from Niger Republic and Mali, are advancing towards Nigeria, with the peak expected between late August and September.
The Anambra State Government continues to monitor the situation closely and urges all residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
