Flood Crisis Worsens In Anambra As Ogbaru, Other Riverine Communities Face Rising Threat

FLOODWATERS  have continued to rise in Anambra State, submerging homes, farmlands, and major roads in Ogbaru Local Government Area and putting several riverine communities at risk. The crisis, triggered by days of heavy rainfall and the swelling River Niger, has left thousands of residents vulnerable.

The Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has activated holding centres in flood-prone local government areas and urged residents, especially in Ogbaru, Anambra East, and Anambra West, to relocate to higher grounds. Officials warned that refusal to evacuate could expose families to grave dangers, including mass displacement, hunger, and outbreaks of waterborne diseases.

Governor Charles Soludo’s administration has intensified response efforts in collaboration with the Federal Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Current measures include clearing blocked drainages, enforcing the “Operation Clear Your Waterways” directive, and advancing long-term plans to dredge the River Niger to reduce perennial flooding.

Despite these efforts, many households remain reluctant to abandon their homes, citing fear of looting and loss of property. Meanwhile, relief materials are being distributed to some affected areas, while monitoring teams continue to track water levels in the state’s floodplains to anticipate further risks.

The unfolding disaster has heightened concerns over food security, with farmlands already devastated by the rising waters, and raised urgent calls for more proactive interventions to protect lives and livelihoods.