By Ndidi-Chibueze Chinaemelum Gloria
Panic has gripped Atani and its neighbouring communities of Odekpe and Ohita in Ogbaru Local Government Area following a fresh flood alert issued on October 20 by NEMA in collaboration with SEMA.
According to NEMA, the alert was necessary due to the steady rise in the water level of River Niger, caused by heavy rainfall and the release of water from dams.
Some affected residents expressed fear. A farmer in Odekpe, Mr. Joseph Nwabueze, said his two hectares of cassava and yam have been submerged. Mrs. Blessing Okoro, a mother of four in Ohita, said that water entered her house and appealed to SEMA to move them to an IDP camp for safety. The Community Leader of Atani, Chief Emmanuel Ude, said that the flood was very serious and called for a permanent embankment and dredging of River Niger. A youth volunteer, Miss Chioma Eze, said that youths were using local canoes to rescue women and children but needed more boats and life jackets.
Meanwhile, SEMA had advised residents in the flood-prone areas to evacuate immediately to higher grounds and to IDP camps in Ogbaru and Onitsha, while NEMA had commenced distribution of relief materials, residents were urged to adhere to safety directives to prevent losses.
Ndidi-Chibueze Chinaemelum Gloria is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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