By Praise Chinecherem
Two children lost their lives in a recent flood incident in Nkwele Awka, Awka South Local Government of Anambra State.
The deceased between the ages of four and seven reportedly met their untimely death at two separate locations in the area.
While one of the deceased was swept away by the flood while disposing refuse along the flood plain, the other was carried by the deluge in attempt to rescue his slippers being carried away by the flood.
“The mother had sent the little girl on an errand to go and dispose their waste when she was caught up by the flood.
“She was pouring the waste inside the drainage when her leg suddenly slipped and she fell inside the drainage and was carried away by the heavy flood,” a resident of the area who identified herself as Ify narrated.
When contacted, Police Spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga said the incident was not reported at the Command.
He however described the case as pure
environmental disaster, assuring the Command’s continued collaboration with government to improve safety in the state.
“This is pure environmental disaster but we keep working with government to make sure safety is improved,” he said.
Recall that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had alerted the nation about looming flood disaster in 19 states, including Anambra State.
It warned that adequate preparations should be made in good time to avert the level of devastation that occurred during the last yearโs flood disaster across the country.
It also advised communities residing in the coastal regions to begin early evacuation from those areas before the flood arrived.
Over 50 communities were swept away by flood last year in Anambra State; destroying buildings and farmlands as well as causing an outbreak of cholera.
