The First Lady of Anambra State, Dr Nonye Soludo, has urged residents to take greater precautionary measures as flooding continues to affect communities across the state.
Her appeal follows Tuesday’s flooding incident involving schoolchildren travelling to school, in which several occupants of a school bus were rescued while one child subsequently died.
In a statement released in Awka, Soludo expressed concern over the worsening flood situation and its potential impact on families, particularly those living in flood-prone areas.
She advised residents to remain vigilant, pay attention to weather and flood warnings, avoid crossing flooded roads and waterways, and relocate to safer areas whenever their homes or immediate surroundings become unsafe.
“I call on Ndi Anambra to maintain clean surroundings and desist from dumping refuse into drainage channels. Blocked waterways can worsen flooding and pose serious risks to lives and property,” she said.
“I urge parents and guardians to keep children away from floodwaters, drainage channels, streams and other potentially dangerous areas during periods of heavy rainfall.”
The governor’s wife also stressed the need for increased community awareness and collective responsibility, noting that early action and responsible environmental practices could help reduce risks associated with flooding.
She encouraged residents to promptly report emergencies and other situations requiring urgent intervention to the appropriate authorities.
Soludo also urged communities to look out for one another and respond quickly whenever floodwaters begin to rise.
The warning follows an incident along the Nibo–Isiagu Road in Awka on Tuesday, when a school bus became trapped in floodwaters following heavy rainfall.
Police had initially said seven schoolchildren and two adults were rescued while one child remained unaccounted for, prompting a search and rescue operation. The latest account indicates that the missing child subsequently died.
David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
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