By Jude Michael
Some farmers in Anambra State are said to have started harvesting their crops prematurely to beat the fast impending flood.
Many farmlands in Anambra communities are said to be already under water following an increase of water level.
The Executive Secretary, Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Chief Paul Odenigbo, made the revelation while providing an update on the flood situation in the state.
According to him, the water level has been on the increase and is expected to rise more following the activities from some neighbouring countries which translate to more flood waters in Nigeria through river channels.
He called on those living in the riverine areas of the state to be ready and ensure to relocate to higher grounds whenever they noticed emergency increase in the water level.
Odenigbo said: ‘Anambra State Government has concluded arrangements through the Flood Response Committee headed by the Deputy Governor to ensure that those that would be displaced are taken care of during their stay in camps.
‘The agency has commenced cleaning and fumigation of the holding camps across the state to make it habitable for the people that would be displaced by flood which may likely increase more in the coming weeks.’
He commended the support and efforts of the Federal Government through the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, saying more still needed to be done, including inspection and evaluation of the extent of damage, to ensure that the impact of the incident was properly evaluated by the end of the flood incidents.
Chief Odenigbo recommended the dredging of the rivers by the Federal Government or construction of dams, noting that it was the only sure and permanent solution to contain the annual flooding.
It was gathered that the government has designated IDP camps in Ayamelum, Anambra East, Ogbaru, Onitsha South, Onitsha North, Awka North, Ihiala and Ekwusigo Local Government Areas.
