Anambra State First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, has urged residents across the state to take greater precautionary measures as flooding continues to affect some communities.

In a statement released in Awka on Wednesday, the First Lady expressed concern over the rising flood situation and its potential impact on families, particularly residents living in flood-prone areas.

She advised everyone to remain vigilant, pay attention to weather and flood warnings, avoid crossing flooded roads and waterways, and relocate to safer areas whenever their homes or immediate surroundings become unsafe.

The statement read, “This is to call on Ndi Anambra to maintain clean surroundings and desist from dumping refuse into drainage channels. Blocked waterways can worsen flooding and pose serious risks to lives and property.

“We urged parents and guardians to keep children away from floodwaters, drainage channels, streams and other potentially dangerous areas during periods of heavy rainfall.

“There is a need for increased community awareness and collective responsibility; early action and responsible environmental practices can help reduce the risks associated with flooding. Residents across the state are urged to take greater precautionary measures to avoid flooding issues.”

She also encouraged residents to promptly report emergencies and other situations requiring urgent intervention to the appropriate authorities, while urging communities to look out for one another and respond quickly whenever floodwaters begin to rise.

She reiterated that preparedness, vigilance and responsible environmental practices remain essential to protecting lives and reducing the impact of flooding across the state, while assuring that the state government will continue to do whatever is necessary to cushion the toll of the natural disaster on affected families and communities.

Recall that two days of torrential rainfall across the state on Monday and Tuesday led to flooding and gully erosion, dealing devastating havoc in several communities, submerging many houses, roads, schools, farmlands and markets.

The flooding caused several drainages, water channels and canals to spill out and submerging roads.

Punch Online on Tuesday reported that an unidentified schoolchild was declared missing, while seven other schoolchildren and two adults were rescued when the ravaging flood overturned a shuttle bus along the Nibo–Isiagu Road, Awka.

The Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who disclosed the development in a press statement, said the victims were rescued through the police “Safe School Operatives”, in collaboration with concerned members of the community, who rescued nine persons when their vehicle they were travelling in overturned by the flood.

Ikenga said upon receiving the information about the incident, the “Safe School Operatives” swiftly mobilised to the area and, working with members of the community, rescued seven school children and two adults and moved them to safety.

“However, one additional child involved in the incident is still unaccounted for. The Command has consequently activated sustained search and rescue operations in the affected area.

“The search operation is being conducted in collaboration with community members and relevant stakeholders and will continue until the remaining persons are located and accounted for.”