More than one dozen families resident in Ngozika Estate, Awka, the capital city of Anambra State have been homeless after a heavy rainfall that generated high volume of flood Monday night.
Flood hydrologists had earlier identified Anambra State as one of the States to suffer flooding this year, but specific local governments have been also identified to be prone to flood.
Residents of those areas have been alerted to leave to places that are deemed safe while IDP camps were set up for the indigent among them.
Ngozika estate is considered to be a highbrow residential area in Awka, the capital city, and well away from local government areas that have been listed to be prone to flood, but on Monday, there was wailing among residents as flood water overran many compounds in the State.
Most of the families sacked by the flood water are currently squatting with friends and families in safe areas, while the rich among them, have relocated to hotels, just as the estate is known to be the choice residents of some of Anambra’s privileged individuals.
“We have moved out of our homes into a hotels. Everything we own have been submerged by flood, and we are currently homeless. We are calling on Anambra State government to come to our rescue because we are 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. Our whole properties have been damaged by water, and many of them 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, the clouds are gathering for rain again, and I am very afraid for myself and my family. We are calling on Governor Soludo to come to our aide, ”one of the victims said.
Meanwhile, it was gathered from some others affected that the flood was caused by an undeveloped plot in the area, which had a blocked drainage.
“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, 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, ”the victim added.
As at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that residents have made phone calls to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), but no response or help have come their way.
