More than 3,500 residents in the riverine village of Ogbaru Local Government Area in Anambra have been uprooted by floods brought on by rising River Niger water levels and further rainfall, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

This was revealed in Awka on Friday by Ibarakumo Walson, NEMA's Southeast zone director.

According to Mr. Walson, the results of a recent assessment visit of the Ogbaru communities of Odekpe, Ohita, and Atani showed that the effects of the flooding were getting worse.

According to him, the assessment tour was carried out by a combined group of NEMA personnel, the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, and the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC).

Residential buildings, stores, household goods, livelihoods, farmlands, and cattle were all impacted, according to Mr Walson, even though no fatalities or injuries were reported. Additionally, certain sections of the road were blocked, requiring locals to use water transportation.

“Some residents have taken refuge in the homes of relatives and friends, while others have remained in their homes due to concerns about the security of their belongings. No deaths, injuries, or trapped persons were reported as of the time of the assessment,” he said.

According to Mr. Walson, a comparable study conducted in Enugu State found that around 2,000 homes were impacted, and that a bridge and a sizable portion of farmland were drowned throughout several settlements in Aninri Local Government Area.

The communities were Okpu, Ihibe, Ihuoke, Ukey, Amaeze, Ama Chara, Obiagu, Ovumnand, and Obeagu, he said, adding that the Ivo Dam overflowed on Tuesday due to heavy rainfall.

Source