Anambra flood: 14,000 refugees lament as death toll rises to 17
The death toll from the flood that ravaged coastal areas of Anambra State, yesterday, rose to 17, while the number of refugees in the eight local councils affected by flood hit 14,000 people.
In Ogbaru Local Council, about 10 out of the 40 persons believed to have boarded an ill-fated canoe that capsized, after hitting the disembarkation of a bridge were reported dead while 30 were rescued alive.
Also, a man who had successfully evacuated his family from the flood and opted to stay back to take care of the vicinity got drowned in Ogbaru while he was asleep.
Yesterday, a family of six, including the mother, four kids and a sister were drowned at Nzam community in Anambra West Local Council, when their residence was submerged.
The Guardian gathered that the entire Anambra West Local Council is submerged, forcing displaced indigenes to relocate to Premier Primary School, Aguleri; Unity Primary School and St. Augustine, Umuoba Anam, respectively in Anambra East Council.
Some displaced persons have also created additional holding centres for people who are in dire need of accommodation to settle at the vicinity of the bridge.
A trending video which captured the sad incident and monitored by The Guardian showed that members of the family were preparing to leave their home for a safer upland when they were submerged.
The video also showed a scene of youths of the community bringing out corpses of victims from a house and depositing them in an upland area.
It was learnt that members of the family were already prepared to leave for a safe place, before their residence was submerged by flood.
By the latest accident, the total number of flood-related deaths rose to 17. Contacted, Executive Secretary of State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Chief Paul Odenigbo, said information available to the Committee on flood in the state, headed by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyeka Ibezim, confirmed that 30 persons were rescued alive, while 10 bodies were recovered.
Odenigbo said the state government would open other camps as the need arises, stressing that some holding camps came up when floods affected the originally-planned settlement.
He noted that the state government has been pro-active and forthcoming in terms of provision of food, water, toiletries and security, among others, to make the victims feel more comfortable and at home.
Odenigbo hinted that the Federal Government through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has concluded arrangements to assist the state and refugees, adding that NEMA and the military had commenced aerial surveillance, using helicopters, to rescue trapped residents of the flooded areas.
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