Flood disaster:Umuawulu residents cry for help

THE recent torrential rainfall in virtually all parts of the country and beyond caused a lot havoc in some partsof Umuawulu, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State as flood engulfed the town and all the feeder roads within and around the town.
According to some indigenes of the town, the disaster occured as a result of the ancient “Udide Lake” in Umuenu Village, that over flooded its banks and devastated many houses, destroyed goods and property worth millions of naira and rendered many families homeless.
Bro. Godwin Nwamaka, one of the victims of the flood disaster, said the lake had been there since ages with its source close to Oyo Umuenu Market Square, but it had never caused problem to the inhabitants.
He said the problem might have occurred due to the new road constructed by the past administration that passed through Umuawulu down to Awgbu and beyond, where all the drainages were channeled down to the lake, which made the mild lake to become aggressive, thereby causing untold hardship to the community.
Another of the victims of flood disaster, Mrs Uche Okoye Mgbike, who could not control her tears as a result of damages incurred, appealed for assistance from all quarters.
Mrs. Edinna Nwanaka, who lost all her domestic property and pitched her tent in the neighborhood with her children, lamented that life is no more sweet for them since home is always the bes”.
Emmanuel Okoye, owner of a large acre of farm land could not count his losses as a result of the disaster.
Mr. Okoye however, appealed to the government and good spirited individuals to come to their aid and if possible, rechanel the drainage back to its original lane. He regretted that he bought the property to develop for domestic purposes, but “today, the property is no more useful for anything”.
In a swift reaction on the unfortunate incidence and colossal loss; the Chairman of Umuenu Village, Mr Humphrey Obi, expressed concern for the flood victims and appealed to the government to come to their assistance and fashion out another modality to channel the drainage down to a nearby stream before the world body ear that a certain town has been flushed away by flood.
Mr. Obi however, promised to see to the plight of displaced persons in the vicinity as soon as possible.
The president of Umuawulu Progressive Union, Chief Iyke Nkala,sympathized with the victims and pleaded with federal, state governments and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to cushion the bad effects of the disaster on the people and prevent future occurrence.
The traditional ruler of Umuawulu, Igwe Joel Egwuonwu was unhappy on the ugly development and blamed the contractor that handled the road project.
Igwe Egwuonwn however, promised to call the attention of the state Commissioner of Works and the town union executives as soon as possible before the situation gets out of hand.