By Tony Okafor, Awka
Barring intervention, no fewer than 50 communities in seven Local Government Areas of of Anambra State may be submerged.
This is coming less than 24 hours after the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)alerted the nation about looming flood disaster in 19 states, including Anambra State, warning that adequate preparations should be made in good time to avert the level of devastation that occurred during the last year’s flood disaster across the country.
It also advised communities residing in the coastal regions to begin early to evacuate themselves from those areas before the flood would come
Recall that last year, over 50 Communities were swept away by the flood, destroying buildings and farmlands as well as causing an outbreak of cholera pandemic in those communities in Anambra state.
It is also feared that over 250 fish farms would be affected by the looming flood across the coastal regions of the state which according to the farmers would be a monumental loss to the farmers and the state.
As a consequence, the Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Felix Odimegwu had taken sensitization and awareness campaigns to the risk areas.
Local Government Transition Committee Chairmen had also been directed to hold town hall meetings to educate the communities involved about what to do ahead of the flooding.
Speaking to our correspondent on the development, the Onitsha South local Government Area Transition Committee Chairman, Chief Emeka Orji, said, one of measures taken to avert the looming disaster included removal of illegal structures and clearing of canals and drains that were blocked, expressing confidence that this year’s flooding would not be severe in his area.
He said farmers in the seven Local Government Areas had commenced premature harvesting of their crops .
Clement Chukwudi Igwilo, a fish and pig farmer at Omor in Ayamelum Local Lovernment Area confirmed that the flood had was looming, adding that he had evacuated his farm.
Igwilo said,”It has come to Ifite Ogwari, Omor , Umuerum Aguleri in Anambra East heading to Oba Ofemili in Awka North local government area and places that were dry lands have been taken over by the coming flood ”
“We have over 350 large fish farms on the water ways and once the flood comes it would sweep away everything and we are left with nothing”
“It is sad that we are harvesting so early but we have no choice but to save the much we can and those that are worse affected are the farmers that planted yams and cassava because they are harvesting too early”
Monica Nwoye, a farmer at Inoma in Anambra West Local Government Area, said that it was not enough for NEMA to raise alarm but to come on time to assist the farmers.
She said,”The government every year would shout and tell us that flood is coming but it ends there but they have nothing again to do for us to save our farms and after the flood government would forget us and wait for another year”
Prince Chris Okwuosa, a fish farmer from Umuzu community in Ogbaru Local Government Area lamented that the Bank of Industries and Agricultural bank had not helped matters, stating that there would be food crisis next year due to the impending flood.
” Okwuosa said, “What is the Bank of Industries and Agricultural bank doing to assist us over the flood? Nothing! Everything is just paper work and no action.
