The Anambra First Lady called for greater vigilance around floodwaters after a schoolchild died when a vehicle carrying pupils was caught in flooding in Awka.
By Wapcodehub9ja LIVE News Desk
Anambra State First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, has urged residents to take greater precautions against flooding following the death of a schoolchild in a flood-related incident in Awka.
Soludo’s appeal followed the flooding incident along the Nibo–Isiagu Road, where a vehicle carrying schoolchildren became trapped in floodwaters after heavy rainfall. Several children and adults were rescued, while one child was initially reported missing.
The missing child was later identified in reports as Success Ezenwafor, a pupil of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Primary School. The child was reportedly swept away after the vehicle became caught in the flood, with his death subsequently confirmed.
In a statement issued in Awka, the First Lady expressed concern over the worsening flood situation and its effect on families, particularly residents living in vulnerable and flood-prone communities.
She urged residents to remain alert to weather and flood warnings, avoid crossing flooded roads and waterways and move to safer locations whenever their homes or immediate surroundings become dangerous.
Soludo also appealed to parents and guardians to keep children away from floodwaters, drainage channels, streams and other potentially dangerous areas during periods of heavy rainfall.
The First Lady further called on residents to stop dumping refuse into drainage channels, warning that blocked waterways can worsen flooding and increase the risk to lives and property.
She stressed the importance of community awareness and collective responsibility, saying early action and responsible environmental practices could help reduce the impact of flooding.
The flooding has affected several parts of Anambra following heavy rainfall, with roads, homes, schools, farmlands and other facilities reportedly impacted. The National Emergency Management Agency has also urged parents and motorists to prioritise safety and wait for floodwaters to recede before travelling through affected areas.
Soludo encouraged residents to promptly report emergencies requiring urgent intervention and urged communities to support one another whenever floodwaters begin to rise.
The First Lady’s warning comes as emergency agencies and state authorities continue responding to flooding across affected parts of Anambra, with residents in vulnerable communities being encouraged to remain vigilant and relocate to safer areas when necessary.
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