Drowning of schoolchild: Anambra First Lady urges precautionary measures as flood continues to rise

Anambra State's First Lady, Nonye Soludo, has called for heightened caution as floodwaters continue to rise across the region. This warning follows a tragic incident where a schoolchild drowned while commuting to school on Tuesday. In a statement issued from Awka, Mrs. Soludo expressed her concern over the escalating flood situation and its potential repercussions on families, especially those residing in flood-prone areas.

She emphasized the importance of vigilance, urging everyone to heed weather and flood alerts, refrain from traversing flooded roads and waterways, and seek refuge in safer locations if necessary. Mrs. Soludo urged Anambra residents to maintain clean surroundings and refrain from disposing of waste in drainage channels, as obstructed waterways can exacerbate flooding and endanger lives and property.

She further implored parents and guardians to keep children away from floodwaters, drainage channels, streams, and other hazardous areas during periods of heavy rainfall. The First Lady stressed the necessity of heightened community awareness and collective responsibility, stating that proactive measures and responsible environmental practices could mitigate the risks associated with flooding.

She encouraged residents to immediately report emergencies and other urgent situations to the relevant authorities and to look out for one another, responding quickly whenever floodwaters begin to rise.