At least four communities in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State have been ravaged by flooding. This is leaving residents displaced and causing extensive damage to homes, businesses and farmlands.
The affected communities are Mpu, Okpanku, Ndiabor and Oduma, where property worth millions of naira was reportedly destroyed. Household belongings, shops, goods, rice mills and crops were among the losses recorded.
The flooding began to spread following heavy rainfall on September 20. The situation worsened on September 22 and 23, with floodwater submerging parts of Afor Okpanku Market, Ivo River Bridge and adjoining roads.
Also, residents have been trying to evacuate their families and salvage their belongings as heavy rainfall continued in the area at the time of filing this report.
Flooding Described as Life-Threatening
The councillor representing Mpu Ward, Mr Edwin Ogbuka, describing the situation as “life-threatening” He as he talks sayas, several houses and farmlands had been affected.
Also, Ogbuka called for urgent government intervention. He attributed the flooding to the overflow of water from the abandoned Ivo River Dam project.
Flooding and its effects on communities have also featured in other reports, including the deadly fire incident in Rivers State and the building collapse in Enugu.
Six Mpu Villages Affected
A community leader in Mpu, Mr Dele Chukwu, said six villages in the community had been affected by the flood.
According to Chukwu, some displaced residents have taken refuge at Amachalla Town School. He appealed to the government and relevant emergency agencies to provide relief materials and other assistance to those affected.
Also, the situation has left families seeking safer locations while attempting to recover whatever belongings they can from their homes.
Farmers Lose Rice, Cassava and Yam Crops
Furthermore, the youth leader of Okpanku community, Mr George Ahaefuna, described the flooding as unprecedented.
“Since I was born, I have never seen this kind of flood in my life. The flood has destroyed all we have laboured for in the farm this year,” he said.
Now, Ahaefuna said the flood had destroyed rice, cassava and yam farms worth millions of naira. He appealed to the Federal Government, Enugu State Government and Aninri Local Government to come to the community’s aid.
However, agriculture remains a major concern in Enugu State, with development initiatives. From the South East Development Commission’s planned agro-mechanisation project in Enugu.
Market Traders Count Losses
A shop owner at Afor Okpanku Market, Mrs Patricia Chukwu, said goods worth millions of naira had remained submerged in floodwater for two days.
“This development is devastating. This is the worst flood that has affected Okpanku in my generation,” she said.
She urged the government, organisations and public-spirited individuals to assist residents whose houses, goods and farms had been destroyed. She said such support would help victims rebuild their lives.
Also, the flooding has also affected commercial activity, with parts of Afor Okpanku Market and nearby roads reportedly submerged.
Aninri Chairman Says Flooding Recurs Twice a Year
The Chairman of Aninri Local Government Area, Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku, expressed concern over the disaster. He said flooding occurs twice yearly in some parts of the area due to the uncompleted Ivo River Dam Project.
Nwanjoku saying stakeholders were planning a joint visit to the dam to assess the reservoir and explore possible repairs aimed at preventing further flooding.
“I felt sad the moment I heard about the incident. Most communities in Aninri have been submerged by flooding, such as Okpanku, Mpu, Uhuezeoke in Ndiabor and parts of Ezineshi in Oduma,” he said.
Also, he added that crops, houses and businesses had been destroyed, while the local government was assessing the situation to determine the extent of the damage.
Residents Await Emergency Assistance
Residents across the affected communities are continuing efforts to move their families and belongings to safer places as rainfall persists.
Also, community representatives have appealed for urgent intervention, including relief materials and support for people who have lost homes, farm produce and business goods.
The local government’s planned assessment of the Ivo River Dam is expected to help stakeholders examine the situation and consider possible measures to reduce further flooding
