Elochukwu Benjamin
Awka
The First Lady of Anambra State, Nonye Soludo, has called on residents across the state to take greater precautionary measures as flooding challenges continue to impact some communities in the state.
Dr Soludo made the call in a statement on Wednesday, where she expressed concern over the rising flood situation and its potential impact on families, particularly residents living in flood-prone areas.
On Tuesday, a schoolchild went missing after a flood swept through a section of the Nibo–Isiagu Road in the Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, with the police launching a search operation for the child.
Nine persons, comprising seven schoolchildren and two adults, were rescued from the flooded route following heavy rainfall across parts of the state between Monday and Tuesday.
Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, had in a statement on Tuesday, said the rescue operation was carried out by the command’s Safe School Operatives in collaboration with members of the affected community.
Reacting to the development in a statement, the Anambra Governor’s wife advised residents to remain vigilant, pay attention to weather and flood warnings, avoid crossing flooded roads and waterways, and relocate to safer areas whenever their homes or immediate surroundings become unsafe.
The First Lady also called on Anambra people to maintain clean surroundings and desist from dumping refuse into drainage channels, stressing that blocked waterways can worsen flooding and pose serious risks to lives and property.
She particularly urged parents and guardians to keep children away from floodwaters, drainage channels, streams and other potentially dangerous areas during periods of heavy rainfall.
The governor’s wife further stressed the need for increased community awareness and collective responsibility, noting that early action and responsible environmental practices can help reduce the risks associated with flooding.
She also encouraged residents to promptly report emergencies and other situations requiring urgent intervention to the appropriate authorities, while urging communities to look out for one another and respond quickly whenever floodwaters begin to rise.
The First Lady reiterated that preparedness, vigilance and responsible environmental practices remain essential to protecting lives and reducing the impact of flooding across the state, while assuring that the state government will continue to do whatever is necessary to cushion the toll of the natural disaster on affected families and communities.
