June 14, 2025 – Awka, Nigeria
As torrential rains continue to raise fears of flooding across parts of the country, the Anambra State Government has intensified efforts to prevent and manage flood-related emergencies, following recent downpours that triggered heavy flooding in parts of Onitsha.
The State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Felix Odimegwu, disclosed this during a media briefing in Awka on Saturday. He said the government, in collaboration with relevant agencies, has heightened its flood preparedness strategy and launched public sensitisation campaigns to educate residents on the risks associated with this year’s rainy season.
This proactive measure comes amid the three-day heavy rainfall prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), which warned of potential flooding in several states, including Anambra.
Earlier this week, severe flooding caused by hours of non-stop rainfall and worsened by blocked drainage channels submerged Zik’s Avenue and Iweka Road near the popular Ochanja Market in Onitsha. The incident disrupted business activities, displaced traders, and halted vehicular and pedestrian movements for several hours.
Videos circulating online captured distressing scenes of residents and traders struggling to salvage goods from flooded shops, while tricycle operators battled to save their vehicles from being swept away.
Reacting to the situation, Dr. Odimegwu attributed the disaster largely to human actions, particularly blocked drainage systems, which he described as the primary cause of urban flooding.
“What we are doing is to prevent man-made flooding in urban areas. But if it is flooding caused by rivers rising above sea level, we give advance warnings to riverine communities so they can prepare to relocate,” he said.
The commissioner noted that the state had already begun weekly early warning alerts to stakeholders and local governments, especially those at high risk. These alerts, he said, help residents, including farmers, traders, and civil servants, plan ahead to avoid being caught unprepared.
Odimegwu also explained that following the devastating 2022 floods, which affected nine local government areas, the Soludo-led administration took significant steps to mitigate future occurrences. This includes the formation of a Flood Response Committee, headed by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim, and comprising officials from the ministries of environment, health, information, education, local government councils, and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
“After the 2022 flood disaster, we vowed never to allow such devastation to occur again. Even if it happens, the impact will not be as severe due to the preventive structures we now have in place,” he added.
One of the notable mitigation strategies mentioned was the introduction of manual flood markers, specially designed objects buried in flood-prone areas to measure rising water levels. The markers, which display green, yellow, and red indicators, serve as visual guides for communities to determine when evacuation becomes necessary.
“If the water rises to the green level, there’s no problem. Yellow means be on alert and prepare to move. Red signals imminent danger, it’s when flooding starts destroying properties and threatening lives,” the commissioner explained.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the weekly sensitisation and early warning campaigns until the rainy season reaches its peak. Residents were urged to desist from dumping refuse in drains and to remain vigilant, especially those living in low-lying or riverine areas.
