Before this year’s heavy rains, residents of Anambra State were warned about floods.
Reporters learned that the state administration issued a warning to people, urging them to make preparations in advance of the upcoming rains and impending flooding for the year.
Paul Nwosu, the state’s commissioner for information, signed a statement on Friday on behalf of the state government.
High risk communities were identified by Nwosu in the statement, and these included the local governments of Ogbaru, Ayamelum, Anambra East, Anambra West, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Awka North, Idemili South, Ekwusigo, and Ihiala.
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You might remember that during the 2022 rainy season, more over 300 towns in six local government units of the state were waterlogged.
And as a result, a number of people who lived in the impacted areas were transferred to other internally displaced person camps spread out around the state.
However, in its bid to prepare ahead of the 2023 rainy season the state government in the statement said “The 2023 seasonal rainfall prediction and annual flood outlook by Nigerian Meteorological Agency and Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency have shown that there will be high rainfall across the country and flood this year.
“The high flood risk areas in Anambra State that could be flood hit include Ogbaru, Ayamelum, Anambra East, Anambra West, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Awka North, Idemili South, Ekwusigo and Ihiala LGA.
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“The State Emergency Management Agency has issued the following flood mitigation measures: Make concrete plans for timely harvesting and evacuation of your farm produce and livestock to avoid losses. Do not wait until the flood comes to harvest.
“Make concrete plans to secure your household properties and essential belongings as much as possible before the flood sets in.
“Plan to get your family as well as the aged, the sick, pregnant women, infants and children evacuated well on time to safety nets (IDP camps provided by the ANSG government ) to avoid preventable loss of lives. Timely evacuation is key.
“De-silting of water channels should be done continuously as a huge amount of silt is deposited in water channels after rainfall; people should stop constructing in water plains and across water channels.
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“Clear gutters and drainages, do not dispose of your trash in gutters or drainage; move to higher ground before the flood becomes neck deep. If cut off from the designated point, climb and stay on a tree or high platform.”
Nwosu continued by advising locals not to swim in floodwaters due to submerged logs, stones, and the presence of poisonous reptiles.
He added that “Children should not attempt to recover any of their toys or belongings which perchance have fallen into the flood for it can drown them in the process.
“Do not drive in the flood because you can float and be carried away. Step out immediately and search for higher ground.
“Never play in flood. Do not drink or eat any food contaminated by flood water. Before the onset of the flood, deploy sandbags around buildings for flood defence.
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“Avoid wet electrical equipment during flooding. Put off all electrical appliances to avoid electrocution. For more inquiries call 112.”
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