Floodwaters have submerged 15 out of 16 communities in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, just 24 hours after the Federal Government warned of the onset of this year’s flooding season.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had previously issued an alert, listing several flood-prone states and urging residents in low-lying and riverine areas to begin relocating as a precaution.
This most recent flooding, triggered by heavy rainfall, caused the River Niger to overflow its banks, inundating residential homes and farmlands in the Ogbaru axis.
In unaffected areas such as Okpoko, residents have begun early harvesting of crops in anticipation of worsening conditions. Farmers are making efforts to save what they can before the floodwaters reach their lands.
In response, the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has activated holding centres across vulnerable local government areas. The agency is advising residents in Ogbaru, Anambra East, and Anambra West LGAs to move to higher ground.
Governor Charles Soludo, represented by his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, who also chairs the state’s Flood Management Committee, has intensified collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and federal authorities to manage the crisis.
According to Ibezim, local government officials are working round-the-clock to mitigate the impact.
He said emergency holding camps are currently being upgraded, and proactive measures are being taken, including Clearing blocked drainage systems, Strict enforcement of the “Operation Clear Your Waterways” directive and Planning long-term dredging of the River Niger to reduce future risks.
Despite these efforts, affected residents say they have yet to receive any relief materials or direct assistance.
“All 15 out of the 16 communities have been affected by the flooding, and no one has come here to see us. Maybe they’re on their way to Ogbaru,” one villager told reporters.
