By Christian ABURIME
At a time, the world keeps facing the grim consequences of climate change, torrential rain, and flooding sometimes don’t give notice. But as technology advances, weather conditions are predicted more accurately, such as is done every year by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
So, when weather forecasts are issued, the wise prepare ahead and escape calamity. Only the careless get endangered.
The devastating floods that ravaged Anambra State last year, causing billions in damage to public and private property, were a tragic wake-up call. Tragically, many lives were also lost. As another round of rainfall and possible flooding is fast approaching, the state government is urgently warning residents in flood-prone areas to take immediate action to protect themselves, their property, and their livelihoods.
Accordingly, the Anambra State Government has advised people living in high-risk local government areas like Ogbaru, Ayamelum, Anambra East and West, Onitsha South and North, Awka North, Idemili South, Ekwusigo, and Ihiala to begin relocating their crops, poultry, fish ponds, and domestic animals to safer ground.
Indeed, Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu, has also stressed that the time to act is now before the floodwaters arrive.
The latest warnings came based on forecasts from the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), predicting heavy rainfall and severe flooding in the coming months. With climate change driving more extreme weather, the risks are only growing more threatening.
Thus, residents should also be prepared to evacuate themselves, especially the elderly, women, and children, to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps set up by Governor Soludo’s administration. As evacuations get underway, local government emergency management teams are also on standby to assist those in need. No one will be left behind.
Being always responsive to citizens’ welfare and safety, the state government is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to protect Ndi Anambra. That’s why a Flood Response Committee led by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim is already coordinating with the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to provide further guidance to flood-prone communities in the days ahead. But residents must do their part as well.
Again, the lessons of last year’s disaster are clear. Flooding poses a grave threat, and the time to prepare is now. By heeding the government’s warnings and taking proactive steps, Anambra’s residents can keep themselves, their loved ones, their property, and their livelihoods safe from the coming deluge. Complacency is not an option, and because lives are at stake, compliance is the life saver.