The Anambra State Government has urgently advised residents in flood-prone areas to evacuate their crops, poultry, fish ponds, and domestic animals to safe locations to prepare for anticipated flooding. This warning comes in response to rising water levels in the River Niger, caused by the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon and upstream activities in Niger Republic and Mali.

Paul Nwosu, the state Commissioner for Information, delivered this advisory in a video circulated on various social media platforms over the weekend. He highlighted ten local government areas (LGAs) identified as high-risk flood zones, urging immediate action from residents to avoid being caught unawares by the impending flood.

Among the flood-risk areas listed were Ogbaru, Ayamelum, Anambra East, Anambra West, Onitsha South, Onitsha North, Awka North, Idemili South, Ekwusigo, and Ihiala. Nwosu emphasized the importance of moving the elderly, women, and children to the internally displaced persons (IDP) camps established by Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.

“The internally displaced persons camps set up by the state governor are still in place. We urge them to move the elderly, women, and children to the camps immediately,” Nwosu stated. He encouraged residents to reach out to their local government emergency management committees if they had any questions or concerns regarding the evacuation.

In light of the persistent heavy rainfall and warnings from the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency, residents in flood-prone communities have begun to evacuate. Traditional rulers, such as Igwe Chidume Orenu of Omor Community in Ayamelum LGA, have been proactive in advising their communities to move to higher ground and harvest their crops promptly to avoid potential losses.

A resident of Ogbaru, Nkechi Eche, noted that many families have started relocating their livestock and poultry to safer areas. “We have been alerted to the impending flood and we have also seen that the water level of the River Niger is rising,” she said. Eche explained that the community is predominantly agricultural, leading many to take swift action to protect their livelihoods.

This proactive response follows concerns raised earlier this month regarding the rising water levels in the River Niger, as stated by Umar Mohammed, Director General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency. He warned that floodwaters from the River Niger system are gradually moving toward Nigeria, with flooding risks expected to peak by the end of August and into September.

As the situation develops, the Anambra State Flood Response Committee, led by Deputy Governor Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, will continue to collaborate with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to provide updates and life-saving directives to communities at risk. Local government chairmen and community leaders are urged to comply with these directives to ensure the safety of residents and minimize potential casualties.