As the water levels of River Niger begins to rise due to upstream activities from other neighbouring countries, farmers in Anambra State have commenced harvesting their crops prematurely to beat the looming flood.
The Executive Secretary, Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, Chief Paul Odenigbo, disclosed this development yesterday.
According to reports, many farmlands in the riverine communities and flood prone areas of the state are already under water following persistent rainfalls.
Odenigbo noted that the water level has been on the increase and is expected to rise following the activities from some neighbouring countries.
He called on those living in the riverine areas of the state to be ready to evacuate and relocate to higher grounds whenever they notice an increase in the water level.
He, however, explained that the dredging of the rivers by the Federal Government or construction of dams is the only sure permanent solution to contain the annual flood disaster.
Odenigbo said: “Anambra State Government has concluded arrangements through the flood response committee headed by the deputy governor to ensure that those that would be displaced are taken care of during their stay in camps.
“The agency has commenced cleaning and fumigation of the holding camps across the state to make it habitable for the people that would be displaced by flood which may likely increase more in the coming weeks.”
He extolled the support and efforts of the Federal Government through the National Emergency Management Agency.
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He added that more still needs to be done, including inspection and evaluation of the extent of damage to ensure that the impact of the incident is properly valued by the end of the flood incidents.
The government is said to have designated IDP camps in Ayamelum, Anambra East, Ogbaru, Onitsha South, Onitsha North, Awka North, Ihiala and Ekwusigo local government areas.
The state government through the ministry of information had warned that about 10 out of the 21 local government areas in the state might likely be affected by the impending flood.
The state Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu, had listed some of the flood-prone communities to include Anambra East, Anambra West, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Awka North, Ihiala, Ayanmelu and Ogbaru local government areas just as he advised the residents to be on the alert.
“The Anambra State Government has alerted Ndi Anambra to the rising water levels of the River Niger. Flood prone local government areas such as Anambra East, Anambra West, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Awka North, Ihiala and Ogbaru are advised to be on alert and residents are asked to move to higher ground,” Nwosu said.
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