The Wife of Anambra State Governor, Dr (Mrs) Nonye Soludo, has called on residents in flood-prone communities to relocate to safer areas and take necessary precautions. Her call comes after persistent rains in recent days caused unimaginable flooding across the state. Mrs Soludo expressed concern over the rising flood situation and its potential impact on families, particularly those living in vulnerable communities.
The call followed the recovery of the body of Success Ezenwafor, a pupil of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Primary School who was swept away by floodwaters in Awka on Tuesday. The Chairman of Awka South Local Government Area, Mr Chinedu Okafor, confirmed the recovery, saying two other children involved in the incident were rescued and are receiving treatment at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Awka.
According to reports, Success was returning from school when the vehicle he boarded was caught in the flood. He reportedly broke a window of the vehicle, creating an escape route for other children, but was unable to escape himself. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of residents in flood-prone areas.
Mrs Soludo urged residents to remain vigilant, heed weather and flood warnings, avoid crossing flooded roads and waterways, and move to safer locations whenever their homes or surroundings become unsafe. She also emphasized the importance of keeping children away from floodwaters, drainage channels, streams, and other dangerous areas during heavy rainfall.
The Governor's wife called for increased community awareness and collective responsibility, stressing that early action and responsible environmental practices could help reduce the impact of flooding. She encouraged residents to promptly report emergencies to relevant authorities and urged communities to look out for one another and respond quickly whenever floodwaters begin to rise.
Mrs Soludo reaffirmed the importance of preparedness and vigilance in protecting lives. She assured that the state government would continue to take necessary measures to cushion the effects of the disaster on affected families and communities. The government has been working to mitigate the impact of the flooding, but residents are being urged to take personal responsibility for their safety.
The flooding in Anambra State has highlighted the need for residents to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their communities. Key to this effort is the need to address the issue of refuse dumping in drainage channels, which can worsen flooding and pose serious risks to lives and property.
Key points
- Anambra State Governor's wife urges residents in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer areas.
- The flooding has caused one confirmed death and two children have been hospitalized.
- The state government has assured residents that it will take necessary measures to cushion the effects of the disaster.
