70-year-old man, another die in Anambra flood

The corpse of a 70-year-old man, Mr. Sunday Mesiobi, has been recovered in Akpoma, Atani community of Ogbaru Local Council of Anambra State after his house was submerged in flood.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has earlier announced the first victim of flood-related death in the state in Enugu-Otu Aguleri, Anambra East Local Council.
 
Confirming the death, Awogu said the septuagenarian’s body was discovered in his room which was submerged by water.

“They sighted his cloth floating on the water inside his room and when the cloth was pulled up it turned out that his body was under the water,” he said.
 
While expressing sadness over the unfortunate incident, Awogu called on those whose houses had been submerged to stay away from such houses for their safety.

He thanked the Government of Anambra for efforts made to mitigate the effect of the disaster and called for a change in response strategy, saying it had become an emergency situation.
 
“It has gone beyond asking people to converge in a particular location.

“We need more of a community-based approach where community leaders, the President General will have more direct contact with victims everywhere including holding camps,” he said.
   
Recall that Governor Charles Soludo had visited some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Onitsha and Atani in Onitsha North and Ogbaru Local Councils

During his visit, the Governor promised to assist them with food items and other materials, among others to enable them to stay temporarily at the camps pending the time the flood subsides.

Investigation by The Guardian revealed that the council areas already submerged are Anambra East, Anambra West, Ogbaru, Awka North, Ihiala, Ekwusigo.

These agrarian and fishing communities,  it was learnt, witnessed heavy rains and flood havoc each year, with government, religious organisations, civil society and public spirit individuals donating cash, food and materials for their well-being.