WRITTEN BY EBELE EZEH
Anambra West Local Government Area has come under the devastation of the rampaging flood, occasioned by this year’s heavy down pour.

The deluge, which submerged both residential buildings and farmlands has caused residents to evacuate from their ancestral homes.

On arrival at Umueze Anam, ABS observed that the entire village was under flood as residents move about with canoes in their compounds and neighborhoods, while children were seen catching their fun as they swim about.

On the major road, different types of matured and pre-matured farm produce saved from the flood were displayed by farmers while youths record brisk business as they cross people within the community with canoe.

Speaking to the ABS, a Produce Agent under the state Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanization , Processing and Export Mr. Alexander Anekwe, who explained that the occurrence of the incident repeats annually, compared it to 2012 flood havoc destroying properties and farm produce of residents in the community.

While calling on government to relocate them to a safer place, Mr. Anekwe pointed out that they also benefited immensely from the disaster, such as catching plethora of fishes as well as reduce
mosquito bites.
Also a farmer cultivating potatoes, yam and cassava, Mrs. Caroline Okechukwu, who lamented the flood hazard, said that her house and harvested crops have been shrouded by flood.

While expressing dismay on the natural disaster, Mrs Okechukwu, appealed to government to support them with some seed and fund to enable them start up their farming next season.

At Mmiata Anam, also in Anambra West council area, the story was not different as the entire community was submerged by flood while the Umueze Anam Mmiata road has turned into an emergency market, recording serious economic activities.

The famous Nkwo Otupu market along the road was also overtaken by flood while different kinds of farm produce were on display on its front with buyers from across the state seen making brisk purchases.

Narrating their ordeal to the ABS, a security man at the market, Mr. Clement Okoye appealed to government at all levels to come to their aid by providing them with alternative place to lay their heads at night.

For Mrs. Josephine Ekwealor who said that she lost her yam , potatoes, cassava and pepper farms to the flood, called on government to assist them with soft loans, and farm inputs next farming season for them to survive.

For Mr. Ifeanyi Anago, a commercial driver, the flood is an annual occurrence but he appealed for an alternative market in situations like this, while imploring government to establish more holding
centres for the affected persons camps in the Council Area.

It will be recalled that the state government has increased the number of holding centres in the state to twenty eight, to carter for the large number of people that are affected.