Tragedy struck in the Ugwu Mkpume Layout of Achalla Agu community, Nkpor, in the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, where a mother of three and one other person were killed in a devastating flood.
The victims were asleep when floodwaters, triggered by an 11-hour downpour from Thursday night into the early hours of Friday, surged into their apartments.
The force of the water swept them away, and their bodies were later discovered at another location.
Residents, including the Vice President of the Ugwu Mkpume Achalla Agu Landlords’ Association, Ifeanyi Oghota, expressed their grief and frustration over the disaster.
“The damage is regrettable. We have not witnessed this type of flood in our community in 25 years. It is regrettable what the bad work of the construction company has caused us, and we appealed to the state government to come to our aid,” Oghota lamented.
Dr. Alex, a landlord in the affected area, shared the grim reality of waking up to the destruction caused by the flood.
“The floods caused by the heavy rains on Thursday broke into our houses and damaged property and farmlands. I am a pig farmer; it swept away my pigs,” he said.
In a fortunate turn, the three children of the deceased mother were found alive at a separate location. They were quickly rushed to the emergency unit of the Royal Hospital in Nkpor, where they are currently recovering.
The Public Relations Officer of the State Emergency Management Agency, Chinyere Nwoye, confirmed that the agency was aware of the incident and mobilized resources to assess the situation.
“I just heard about the information; we are contacting the Commissioner for Works, and our men will be mobilized to move to the area to ascertain the situation,” Nwoye stated.
The community is now appealing to the state government for urgent intervention to prevent future disasters of this nature.
