At least 200 families have been displaced by flood in Oduke layout, Obosi, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The situation was sequel to a three-day consecutive downpour, which also resulted in the damage of property worth more than N10 million

Speaking to newsmen on the incident, chairman of the layout, Mr. Nicholas Okechukwu, said: “The flood submerged about 100 buildings, especially bungalows in the dead of the night, which made it impossible for inhabitants to pack their belongings. As you can see, all the houses are without occupants, about 200 families who ran away that night might not return, some are hospitalised, the half-drowned ones are recuperating in hospitals where they have been placed on the danger list.

“This has become a perennial occurrence and has been compounded by a blockage deliberately erected by one of the landlords, Mr. Francis Chukwuka, who refused to remove the pillars along Obiajulu road.

“We want Anambra State Urban Development Board (ASUDEB), to come and remove this obstacle for the smooth flow of flood water along the Obiajulu road. He should be made to pay compensation to the victims.”

In his defence, the accused, Chukwuka said: “I can’t remove the pillar (fence) because it is erected on the land I procured, I am not the cause of the flood and there is no way land demarcation can be straight as they accused me of not making the fence to be straight when it was being erected.” (The Guardian on Sunday)