By Chinyere Nwoye
Rescue operations are currently underway to evacuate school children trapped in a school bus along the Ring Road axis of Nibo, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, today , Sept. 22, following heavy flooding in the area.
The incident occurred after a heavy downpour lasted for several hours across Awka, the Anambra State capital, causing flash floods in several parts of the city and creating dangerous conditions for motorists, pedestrians and residents.
A concerned citizen, who raised the alarm through a video shared from the scene, showed a school bus trapped in the floodwaters, while another bus was seen with some school children reportedly climbing onto its roof in an apparent effort to escape the rising water.
Following the distress call, a combined emergency response team comprising officials of the Anambra State Fire Service, the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, and the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Enugu Operations Office, immediately mobilised to the affected area.
Reports from the rescue scene indicate that six of the trapped school children have so far been rescued alongside the shuttle driver, while emergency personnel continued their search for another pupil reportedly swept away by the powerful floodwaters.
The rescued children were immediately evacuated from the affected area and taken to a hospital for medical attention and further observation, as emergency responders continued efforts to locate the missing pupil and ensure the safety of other persons in the vicinity.
The incident has once again highlighted the dangers posed by flash flooding during periods of intense rainfall, particularly in areas where floodwaters rise rapidly and motorists or pedestrians may become trapped without sufficient warning.
Meanwhile, a one-storey residential building reportedly collapsed at Aguoye Village in Awka this morning following the heavy rainfall. The building collapse occurred as the rain continued across parts of the state capital at the time of filing this report.
Emergency officials and relevant agencies are expected to continue monitoring the situation and responding to emerging incidents as the rainfall persists. Residents in flood-prone areas are advised to remain vigilant, avoid driving or walking through moving flood.
Chinyere Nwoye is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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