Not less than 15 communities have been submerged by the overflowing of Oguta lake in Oguta local government area of Imo State.

The Incident followed heavy rains experienced in the past days.

The river bank overflew and the flood destroyed farmlands and personal belongings worth several millions.

Many buildings, including hotels were submerged as at Friday when The Nation visited the area.

Many residents at Amaraocha in Oguta LGA have already abandoned their homes to seek shelter in several places while some people were seen trying to salvage what remained of their personal properties.

Some of the fleeing residents told our correspondent that many of them could not save their properties as some of them were taken unawares by the ravaging flood which submerged their buildings.

According to one of the affected people, Eugene Nworlu said: “I and my children were sleeping when suddenly all our mattresses were soaked by the flood, when I woke up I saw our beds and other properties floating on the water.”

He called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), state government and the Federal Government to come to the assistance of the people.

Contacted, the Head of Imo/Abia Operations Office of NEMA, Ifeanyi Nnaji said that the agency had visited about 12 communities affected by the flood.

He said: “Suddenly the flood is already on the ground and I was there last Friday to assess the extent of damage and my advice to the communities is for them to vacate the areas.

Some farmlands were submerged but those that still have their crops can salvage whatever they can salvage so that they will not lose everything.

“Apart from that we have already made report to the Federal Government, again we are visiting the place tomorrow (today) to know the level of devastation so that we can be able to give an update for possible Government intervention.” (The Nation)

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