The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has advised Anambra government to as a matter of urgency begin immediate evacuation of people living in the flood prone areas to the emergency shelter centres in the state.
Mr Vincent Owen, Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting (NEMA), Abuja, gave the advice on Thursday when he visited Enugwu-Out in Anambra East Local Government Area in accompany of some staff of the agency and other stakeholders.
According to him, the weather forecast by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), that 2018 flood may come in same magnitude of the flood of 2012, should not be treated with levity.
Owen said that the update regarding the flood was so alarming, adding that all the indices during the 2012 flood were visible while the speed at which the river was rising needed urgent action.
“There is nothing to wait for in the evacuation of the people living in the flood prone areas in Anambra, the indices seen in 2012 flood have manifested in all the areas visited.
“In Ogbarua communities, all the towns have been affected by the flood, in Enugwu-Otu and Nkpundo –Out, the story is not different,’’ he said.
Owen, however, said NEMA was committed to providing relief materials to all states affected by flood or other emergency issues in the country.
The director advised all the 12 states located in the flood prone areas to take the forecast serious while assuring of the agency speedy assistance, whereever the need might arise.
Owen said that the Nigerian Government has received a message from the Cameroon Government of its intention to open Lagoon Damns and ask for proactive measures by the affected states.
He said that if the forecast were not timely adhered to, the imminent flood shall be worse than the 2012 flood experience.
Owen said that the visit to flood prone states was to have first-hand information on the preparedness of such states in moving the victims to higher grounds and providing decent camps for the people.
He explained that the volume of water noticed in Ogbura and Enuwgu Otu was alarming and portends danger if not handled as quickly as possible.
Mr Cyprian Agupugo, Anambra Executive Director of SEMA in his response, said that the state government had embarked on sensitisation and enlightenment campaigns on actions to be taken by the victims.
Agupugo said that the state had also made ready 28 emergency shelter centres in its flood prone areas and assured that other necessary materials would be provided.
He said that now that it was evident, that the flood was rising, displaced persons would be evacuated and taken to centres closest to them.
Agupugo commended NEMA for reiterating the warning and reassuring SEMA on its willingness to play its part to ensure that nothing hinders the success of evacuation and safe guarding of the people living in the flood prone areas.
Some of the residents who spoke during the visit said the flood which started around July had increased beyond their expectation this September and had destroyed their farmland.
Mrs Grace Oneh, a health worker, said that the flood had covered the homes of many people and that most of the victims had gone upland to stay with friends and relatives.
She appealed to SEMA to commence the distribution of relief materials, on time to avoid being too rowdy and be ready to alter the method by involving community leaders.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NEMA team comprised members of the Red Cross Society and the Fire Service. (NAN)
