Military Set To Airlift Trapped Flood Victims In Anambra State

The National Emergency Management Agency and the Disaster Response Unit of the military has commenced aerial view of the flooded communities in Anambra.

The exercise is to ascertain persons who are still trapped by the rising flood with a view to airlifting them out of the affected communities.

The Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, South-East, Thickman Tanimu, made this known in Awka on Monday.

Tanimu disclosed that the Presidency and the Director-General of NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed-Habib, commiserated with the state government and flood victims including the bereaved.

He said relief materials had been approved for the flood victims, adding that the relief materials would be presented directly to them on Tuesday.

He also pointed out that the delay in the arrival of relief materials is due to the flood disaster that cut off Abuja – Lokoja road and the security situation due to the Monday sit-at-home in the South East.

He said, “Search and rescue operations have commenced today(Monday). The military disaster response unit have engaged and have started ‘Air Recce’ or aerial view to collect imagery intelligence of the affected communities.

“This will help to ascertain displaced and trapped persons who need to be evacuated to pave way for air lifting.

“The delay in arrival of the relief materials is due to the flood disaster that cut off Abuja – Lokoja road and also the security situation due to the Monday sit-at-home in the South East.

“The relief material will hopefully arrived Tuesday and be ready for delivery directly to victims.

“These items are meant to complement the efforts of Anambra state government in providing immediate succour to victims and aid their speedy rehabilitation.”

The communities in the Ogbaru Local Government Area have been mostly devastated by flood currently ravaging some parts of the state.