A night of torrential rainfall has resulted in a massive flood that has displaced over a dozen families from their homes in Ngozika Estate, Awka, the capital city of Anambra State.
Anambra was initially named one of the states that suffered flooding this year. Still, specific local governments have been identified as prone to flooding, and residents of those areas have been alerted to leave for safer places. IDP camps have been set up for the indigent.
Ngozika estate is considered to be a high-brow residential area in Awka, the capital city, and well away from local government areas that have been listed as prone to floods. However, there was wailing among residents on Tuesday as flood water overran many compounds in the state.
Most of the families sacked by the floodwater are currently squatting with friends and family in a safe area, while the rich among them have relocated to hotels. The estate is known to be the choice residence of some of Anambra’s privileged individuals.
A resident of the area told a TNC correspondent that they have moved out of their home into a hotel, as they are now homeless after everything they own has been submerged by flood.
He called on the Anambra State government to aid them, as they were suffering.
“This morning (Tuesday), I just came to our house to inspect the place, after neighbours helped to evacuate me and the children last night, and you won’t believe what I saw. Water has damaged our whole property, and many of them are missing.
“I currently do not know where to start from. We are not the only ones affected, in the hotel where me and my children are staying, there are about five other families that are staying there.
“As I speak with you, it is planning to rain again, and I am very afraid for myself and my family. We are calling on Governor Soludo to come to our aide,” he appealed.
Meanwhile, a TNC correspondent gathered from others that the flood was caused by a blocked drainage in an undeveloped plot in the area.
A resident of the area, Nneka Obiorah, said, “The owner of the plot is said to be a widow who lives in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. She had once been mandated by Anambra State government to develop the place so as to ease off flood water from the area, and she accepted, and after a year when nothing happened, the government threatened to revoke the land, but she ran to a Bishop in Onitsha area and the bishop made a call to Soludo and she was allowed.
“Now, that piece of land is becoming a threat to residents of this area, and we are calling on Governor Soludo to do what is right to save his subjects.”
When filing this report, it was gathered that residents have made phone calls to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), but no response or help has come their way.
