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Tag: Anambra flood

  • We lost everything, say Anambra flood survivors

    We lost everything, say Anambra flood survivors

    Survivors of past flood disasters in Anambra State, on Friday, relived their painful experiences as the Nigerian Red Cross Society conducted a community flood preparedness simulation in Inoma, Anambra West Local Government Area.

    The exercise, which was part of the Italian Government-funded Flood Resilience Project, is one of 12 simulations designed to strengthen community preparedness and emergency response in flood-prone areas across Nigeria.

    Residents of Inoma, who have endured repeated devastation from the floods of 2012, 2022 and 2024, described the toll of the disasters, which claimed lives, destroyed homes and farmlands, and disrupted livelihoods, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    A youth leader, Francis Odotule, said the floods wiped out his entire farm business. “Flood has damaged our farmlands, livestock and livelihoods. What Red Cross is doing today is a big relief. We appeal to government and agencies to sustain this support because our survival depends on it,” he said.

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    Another survivor, Ndidiamaka Iroegbu, a mother of four, said she lost her home, farm and livestock. “We relocated to makeshift camps for the displaced. Sometimes, there would be food shortages, poor sanitation and risk of disease outbreaks. But we appreciate Red Cross for this intervention; the training will help us better prepare for future emergencies,” she said.

    Similarly, Maureen Omataala recalled how recurrent floods have “submerged houses, destroyed crops and swept away property worth millions.” She said the simulation had taught residents vital safety measures and first response skills.

    Speaking at the event, the Anambra Branch Secretary of the Red Cross, Kingsley Okoye, said the drill underscored the importance of community training in saving lives during disasters. “This simulation is both a success and a learning opportunity. It demonstrates the critical role of first responders in reducing disaster impact. With teamwork and collaboration, lives can be saved and losses reduced,” he said.

    Also addressing the community, Idarabo Ekanem, Senior Disaster Management Officer and Project Manager of the Flood Recovery and Resilience Project, said the initiative was being implemented in 12 states, including Anambra.

    “Our goal is to improve resilience by sensitising communities to what to do before, during and after floods. We are also renovating public facilities, strengthening water plants and providing financial and technical support to reduce vulnerability,” she explained.

    The exercise recreated a realistic flood emergency scenario, featuring early warning broadcasts, community mobilisation, rapid evacuation drills, boat-led and underwater search-and-rescue, first aid, and casualty transportation with ambulances.

  • Anambra residents lament as flood sacks communities

    Anambra residents lament as flood sacks communities

    Anambra state residents 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.

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    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.

    For 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 wording off 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.”

    “The state government, led by Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has been proactive. A flood management committee has been activated, led by the Deputy Governor, with members including commissioners for health, environment, education, information, power, local government, and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), as well as local government chairmen.