Following the rise in water level around the Orashi river and Oguta lake; the tributaries of River Niger, an unprecedented flood has ravaged about 17 communities in Abacheke area of Egbema in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
The Nation reports that several residents were displaced while property worth several millions were destroyed including farmlands.
Findings from the assessment revealed a monumental flood covering about 15 communities thereby affecting about three thousand people.
Majority have been completely displaced, while some residents are residing with relatives and neighboring villages. Schools, Churches , markets , cultivated farmlands , fishing facilities , interlinking access roads and residential homes were severely damaged as most buildings were totally submerged by the flood. Livestock’s and electricity had been seriously affected .
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Traditional Ruler of Abacheke community, HRH Eze Ikeji Ifeanyi Bright, attributed the flood to the recent heavy downpour and the overflow of the banks of River Niger tributaries.
He added that even though it’s a yearly occurrence, the current flooding was the second time they are witnessing this magnitude after the 2012 floods and called on NEMA to come to their help.
Consequent upon the flood alert from the community, a team of NEMA assessors was drafted immediately by the Head of Operation, Mr. Nnaji Ifeanyi to the communities to ascertain the situation.
The NEMA team led by Nweze Innocent sympathized with the Eze and the entire affected communities for the losses and called on the people to move to higher and safer grounds for safety pending when the water receded.
He told the Nation that the residents should harvest their remaining crops as the volume of water would likely increase from the assessment.