By Praise Chinecherem
Residents have been trapped and commuters stranded following heavy flood disaster in Ayamelum Local government area of Anambra State.
The disaster was said to have been caused by heavy rainfalls that overflew Igbariam-Ezu River bank.
The flood reportedly submerged Onitsha-Otuocha-Omor-Adani road, leading to Ayamelum Local government, which threw residents into distress.
Transition Committee Chairman of Ayamelum Local government area, Chief Livinus Onyenwe lamented the havoc the flood caused people of the area.
Onyenwe, who visited the area by boat on-the-spot assessment of the damage, said the flood destroyed their entire farmlands, submerged buildings and trapped their people.
He urged the National Emergency Management Agency and the State government to come to their aid, including assisting victims with relief materials to cushion the effects of the disaster.
Meanwhile, State Government has commenced healthcare intervention services for displaced flood victims staying in holding centres across the state to ease their sufferings.
The victims received cartons of drugs and mosquitoe treated nets at their various centres.
Speaking on Tuesday during a visit to one of the holding centres at Crowther Memorial Primary School Onitsha and Unity Hall Umueri, Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike said the medical intervention was necessary to avert outbreak of diseases in the area.
He said government was concerned about the health needs of the victims, adding that plans were on to offer them diagnosis, provide drugs and other healthcare services.
He said, “Governor Chukwuma Soludo has mandated the ministry to carry out regular on-the-spot assessment of the holding centres, to ascertain your health needs and challenges for immediate intervention.
“We are here with some team of medical personnel to make sure that everything is being taken care of medically as well as ascertain the hygiene and sanitation of the centres,which is very essential.
“More health personnel will be sent to the holding centres in order to ensure that flood victims are adequately taken care of medically.
Reacting, Transition Committee Chairman of Anambra West Local Government Area, Mr Felix Ikechi described government’s prompt response to the plight of the victims as commendable.
A flood victim, Mr Emmanuel Onwuadi regretted that virtually all communities in the area were submerged, noting that more people would be joining the camp soonest.
“We thanka government for coming to our rescue. During the 2012 flood disaster, we did not receive the kind of attention we are getting today medically from previous administrations.
“But we are still appealing for more assistance, including mattresses as well as finding lasting solutions to flood in Anambra West,” he said.
