Anambra Bolsters Flood Readiness with Early Warnings, Public Awareness

The Anambra State Government says it is ready to handle any flood-related emergencies as the rainy season begins. Environment Commissioner Dr. Felix Odimegwu revealed this during a media briefing on Saturday in Awka. He said the government has ramped up public awareness campaigns in partnership with relevant agencies, following Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) warnings predicting heavy rainfall from Saturday through Monday.

Tensions rose in Onitsha after a downpour earlier in the week caused severe flooding around Zik’s Avenue and Iweka Road near the busy Ochanja Market. The flooding, blamed on hours of rainfall and clogged drainage systems, submerged roads and shops, brought business to a halt, and forced both pedestrians and motorists to a standstill. Viral videos showed traders scrambling to save goods and tricycle riders battling to recover their vehicles from floodwaters.

Odimegwu said the state had previously alerted residents, particularly in flood-prone areas, and urged them to avoid blocking drainages, which remains a key cause of urban flooding. For flood threats linked to rising river levels, he noted that advance warnings would be issued so residents can evacuate on time.

He added that Governor Chukwuma Soludo has set up multi-agency committees, including local government officials and emergency management agencies, to coordinate preparedness efforts. These committees were first created after the devastating 2022 floods that affected nine local councils.

To track flood levels, the government uses a color-coded device buried in the ground: green means safe, yellow signals caution, and red indicates extreme danger and immediate evacuation. The commissioner emphasized that these measures, including weekly early warning alerts, are meant to protect lives, help farmers safeguard crops, and allow civil servants, traders, and artisans to adjust their plans accordingly.