At least two children have died in a devastating flood in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, while 14 villages have reportedly been submerged and residents displaced from their homes as floodwaters continue to rise across affected communities.
Key Highlights
- Two brothers, aged seven and eight, were reportedly swept away and killed by floodwaters.
- Four major communities, including Mpu, Okpanku, Ndiabor and Oduma, have been badly affected.
- More than 10 buildings have reportedly collapsed.
- Fourteen villages have reportedly been submerged in the affected area.
- Rice, yam and cassava farms, shops, rice mills and household property have been destroyed.
- The Ivo Bridge and adjoining roads have been overtaken by floodwaters.
- Displaced residents are taking refuge in schools, town halls and religious centres.
- Local officials have called for urgent government and emergency-agency intervention.
The flooding began on September 20 and intensified on September 22 and 23 following more than 48 hours of heavy rainfall, forcing residents to evacuate their families and belongings to safer locations. Parts of Afor Okpanku Market, the Ivo Bridge and adjoining roads have also been submerged.
The two reported fatalities were brothers aged seven and eight who were swept away by the floodwaters about two days before the situation worsened. Another report also alleged that a child from Obiagu Okomigbo in Mpu drowned, but the identity and circumstances of that incident had not been formally confirmed by relevant authorities at the time of reporting.
More than 10 buildings have reportedly collapsed, while extensive farmlands, including rice, yam and cassava farms, have been submerged. Several shops and rice mills at Afor Okpanku Market have also remained underwater.
Residents Flee Homes As Floodwaters Rise
Residents of Mpu, Okpanku, Ndiabor and Oduma have been making efforts to evacuate their families and salvage their belongings as rainfall continues.
The Councillor representing Mpu Ward, Edwin Ogbuka, described the situation as “life-threatening” and called for urgent government intervention.
Ogbuka attributed the flooding to an overflow of water from the abandoned Ivo River Dam project. That explanation remains an allegation by local officials and residents pending an independent technical assessment. The dam has been the subject of repeated calls from state officials for the Federal Government to complete it after years of stalled construction.
A community leader in Mpu, Dele Chukwu, said six villages in the community had been affected, with displaced residents taking refuge at Amachalla Town School.
Other displaced residents have reportedly sought shelter in public buildings and places of worship as the floodwaters continue to spread.
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Farmers Lose Crops Worth Millions
The Youth Leader of Okpanku community, George Ahaefuna, described the flooding as unprecedented and said residents had lost crops cultivated throughout the year.
“Since I was born, I have never seen this kind of flood in my life. The flood has destroyed all we have laboured for this year,” Ahaefuna said.
He said rice, cassava and yam farms worth millions of naira had been destroyed and appealed to the Federal Government, Enugu State Government and Aninri Local Government Council to assist affected residents.
A shop owner at Afor Okpanku Market also said goods worth millions of naira had remained submerged for two days.
“This development is devastating. This is the worst flood that has affected Okpanku in my generation,” she said.
She appealed to government agencies, organisations and public-spirited individuals to assist residents whose homes, businesses and farms had been destroyed.
Aninri Chairman Seeks Emergency Intervention
The Chairman of Aninri Local Government Area, Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku, expressed concern over the disaster and said flooding occurs twice yearly in some parts of the area.
Nwanjoku said stakeholders were planning a joint visit to the Ivo River Dam to assess the reservoir and explore possible repairs to prevent further flooding.
“I felt sad the moment I heard about the incident. Most communities in Aninri have been submerged by flooding, such as Okpanku, Mpu, Uhuezeoke in Ndiabor and parts of Ezineshi in Oduma,” he said.
“Crops, houses and businesses were destroyed. We are assessing the situation to know the level of damage.”
The latest flooding has also cut off movement between Mpu and Okpanku, with the Ivo Bridge overtaken by floodwaters. Residents have warned that the continuing rainfall and rising water could lead to further loss of lives and property if urgent intervention is not provided.
The Federal Government’s official dam profile identifies the Ivo River Dam as a 20-million-cubic-metre earthfill dam in Aninri, Enugu State. Residents and local officials have linked the recurring flooding to the uncompleted project, although the extent of its contribution to the latest disaster requires technical assessment.
As the floodwaters continue to rise, affected residents are calling for emergency evacuation assistance, relief materials, medical support and urgent measures to prevent further loss of lives and livelihoods.
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