A devastating flood disaster struck Ugwu Mkpume Layout, Achalla Agu community in Nkpor Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, claiming the lives of a mother of three and another person. The victims were swept away by the flood while asleep in their apartments and found dead in a different location.
The flooding was caused by over 11 hours of heavy rainfall, which submerged many buildings and destroyed properties worth millions of naira. Farmlands were also washed away, leaving residents in distress.
Residents and victims attributed the disaster to a construction firm working on a nearby road, which channelled waters into their community instead of directing it to the River Niger. The Vice President of Ugwu Mkpume Achalla Agu Landlords’ Association, Ifeanyi Oghota, described the incident as unfortunate, stating, “The damage is regrettable. We have not witnessed this type of flood in our community in 25 years. It is regrettable what the bad work of the construction company has caused to us, and we appealed to the state government to come to our aid.”
Dr. Alex, a landlord in the area, recounted the devastating experience: “This is what we woke up to see on Friday morning. The floods caused by the heavy rains on Thursday broke into our houses and damaged properties and farmlands. I am a pig farmer; it swept away my pigs. The floods pulled down many fences and walls. It also broke into a building where a family of five were living. The flood entered their apartment while they were asleep, and carried the mother and her three children away; their father managed to escape.”
Fortunately, the three children were found alive and rushed to the hospital, where they are recovering. However, the body of another unidentified man was also found. Residents expressed sadness over the loss of life and property, attributing the disaster to the construction firm’s negligence. They appealed to the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to come to their rescue.
The Public Relations Officer of the State Emergency Management Agency, Chinyere Nwoye, promised to send operatives to the area to ascertain the situation, saying, “I am just hearing about the information; we are making contact to reach out to the commissioner for works, and our men will be mobilized to move to the area to ascertain the situation.”
