2023 flood: 50 communities may be submerged in Anambra… 

No fewer than 50 communities in seven Local Government Areas of Anambra State may be submerged in this 2023 flooding.

This is coming less than 24 hours after the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)alerted the country about looming flood disaster in 19 states, including Anambra State, warning that adequate preparations should be made in good time to avert the level of devastation that occurred during the last year’s flood disaster across the country.

It also advised communities residing in the coastal regions to begin early to evacuate themselves from those areas before the flood would come. 

Recall that last year, over 50 Communities were swept away by the flood, destroying buildings and farmlands as well as causing an outbreak of cholera pandemic in those communities in Anambra state.

It is also feared that over 250 fish farms would be affected by the looming flood across the coastal regions of the state which, according to the farmers, would be a monumental loss to the farmers and the state.

As a consequence, the Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Felix Odimegwu, had taken sensitization and awareness campaigns to the risk areas.

Local Government Transition Committee Chairmen had also been directed to hold town hall meetings to educate the communities involved about what to do ahead of the flooding.

The Onitsha South Local Government Area Transition Committee Chairman, Chief Emeka Orji, said one of the measures taken to avert the looming disaster included the removal of illegal structures, clearing of canals and drains that were blocked, expressing confidence that this year’s flooding would not be severe in his area.

He said farmers in the seven Local Government Areas had commenced premature harvesting of their crops

Clement Chukwudi Igwilo, a fish and pig farmer at Omor in Ayamelum Local Government Area, confirmed that the flood was looming, adding that he had evacuated his farm.

Monica Nwoye, a farmer at Inoma in Anambra West Local Government Area, said that it was not enough for NEMA to raise the alarm but to come on time to assist the farmers.

Prince Chris Okwuosa, a fish farmer from the Umuzu community in Ogbaru Local Government Area, lamented that the Bank of Industries and Agricultural Bank had not helped matters, stating that there would be a food crisis next year due to the impending flood.