By Emma Amaize

IT was an unexpected and unwelcome visitor and ruthless in the magnitude of the disaster it left in its wake. Indeed at the last count, two persons have lost their lives, no fewer than 100 communities submerged by flood and more than 300,000 persons rendered homeless across 10 local government areas of Delta State.

Some people climbed trees to escape from the flood after their houses were submerged in Patani, Isoko South and North, Ndokwa East, Bomadi, Burutu, Oshimili North and South, Ughelli North and Ughelli South local government areas. Nevertheless, from available reports, the coast is not clear; more communities could still go underwater.

Clearly, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan who has been moving from one affected community to the other, in the last few days, to assess the situation, seemed overwhelmed by the magnitude of the disaster. And this is why he has called on the Federal Government, the private sector, philanthropists and well meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of the state.

However, he has set up rehabilitation camps to cater for victims at Asaba and other parts of the state as well as directed top government officials from flood-prone areas to return to their communities to help in rescue operations.

“The first camp will be at Saint Patrick’s College, Asaba. We will also set up other camps in the following areas: Tuomo in Burutu, Bomadi in Bomadi, Okwagbe in Ughelli South, Patani in Patani, Aboh in Ndokwa East”, the Governor said in a broadcast.

Reviewing the damage caused by the flooding in the state about four days after, Uduaghan said that the scope of the damage from the flooding was far beyond the capacity the state could cope with. His words: “One thing is clear: Despite clear warnings about this happening, we may have completely underestimated the capacity of the flood to destroy. This force of nature has been extremely ferocious.

“As many of you know, the latest disaster was triggered by the unusually heavy rainfall that was recorded this year and the opening of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroun, which was thought to be a proactive step to contain what, if they had delayed further, would have been a major catastrophe.

“Now, if that decision has caused this level of havoc, imagine what would have happened, had there been a further delay? We shall be seeking federal assistance in view of the destruction”.

According to him, the situation on ground was “grave and grim” with over 100 communities in no less than 10 local government areas of the state impacted negatively.

In particular, he said that the River Niger has spread over its banks covering an average distance of between six kilometres and 10 kilometres inland in the affected communities, stressing that the tide was increasing by the day.

His words: ‘’Within a period of three days the number of communities affected increased  astronomically and for now there is fear of total flooding of the affected communities”.

Aerial view of flood submerged Delta communities

Describing the situation as “devastating and a huge challenge”, he said most of the rehabilitation camps were already recording about 100,000 displaced persons explaining that mattresses, food items and medical facilities were being arranged for the victims in the interim.

He lamented that two persons have died from the flooding, but added that the committee headed by the Deputy Governor of the State, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN) to tackle the challenges of the flooding, was working round the clock to ensure that no more life was lost.

He charged members of the committee to be transparent in their dealings and ensure that no item meant for the victims were diverted. The Governor charged the committee to set up sub-committees in the local areas and involve residents of the affected communities in the distribution of relief materials and movement of the people and their property.

Dr Uduaghan appealed to those who were still in the flood prone zones not to wait until they were in danger before coming out, explaining that the state government was ready to assist them with both land and river transportation to relocate.

‘’The river is surging into the communities on a daily basis and increasing in tempo, let everyone in the flood prone areas come out before it is too late because a stitch in time saves nine,” he added.

Access denied
Briefing the Governor, the chair of the Rehabilitation Committee on Flood Victims, Prof. Utuama sounded a note of alarm that it was becoming increasingly difficult to access some of the communities affected by flood.

Prof Utuama said the Committee has gone round to take physical counts of communities affected in the state and assured victims of the state government’s determination to secure their lives and property and make them comfortable.

He said for now the rehabilitations camps were well secured and commended some Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs, particularly the Red Cross Society for their support.

Prof Utuama said though the task was herculean, members of the committee would work day and night to bring succour to the victims.

Massive reclamation
Meantime, the Governor has announced that the state government would soon embark on massive reclamation of land along the River Niger banks in Asaba, Okwe, Oko and other communities affected by flooding in the state.

He also said, for the time being, government would not allow victims of the flood disaster to reside in the flood-prone areas after evacuation to save them from future occurrences.

Governor Uduaghan, who stated this after an aerial inspection of some flood-ravaged communities in Isoko, Ndokwa and Oshimili South areas of the state, added that   no structural development would also be allowed within 10 kilometres inside the flood prone areas, to ensure that no life or property was lost.

Clearly shocked at the level of destruction in  Aboh and environs, he  said the decision became necessary because no matter the temporary measures taken, the place would still be flooded in future.

His words: “There is a lot of work to be done; first, the extent of the flooding is quite deep inside, about 10-km inside, those places are regarded as flood- prone areas, and we will not allow development to take place in the area and there is need for reclamation.

“It is obvious that there is need for a lot of relocation before embankment. The ones camping must leave, while some will be relocated”.

Navy joins rescue operation
In the words of Uduaghan: “In some of our effected communities, the situation was so bad we had to send the Navy to mount a rescue operation.

In the last few days, Delta state, as some other states across the country, has witnessed heavy damage to our communities, where lives and properties have been lost. In our state, it has been tales of woe for our people. Lives have been lost. Properties and farmlands have been submerged, roads and bridges washed away. The situation has been desperate for our people.

“I am aware of instances where people rendered homeless climbed trees to survive. People have had to adopt different strategies to stay alive. I salute the courage of those who survived in the teeth of this great danger. I condole on behalf of the government those who lost their loved ones”.

Flood protection system to be improved
“Following what has happened we cannot continue to be ignorant or negligent of the environment. We are also going to improve our enlightenment mechanism to educate our people more on the issue of environment and climate change.

Old ways of thinking and doing things have to change. It is for this reason that earlier in the year we took steps to remove structures that block natural water channels; we are not going to relent in our efforts”, he stated.