By Chigozie Chukwuleta
There was a time when flood in Anambra State meant Ogbaru, Anambra West and Anambra East — the low-lying riverine areas. If you lived on the hills of Anambra Central, you were safe. Rain water would simply run off.
The three-day downpour of September 19 to 22, 2026 has shattered that belief. Today, Anambra Central — the political heart of the state — is the epicentre of the disaster.
After nearly 72 hours of rain, residents say almost two-thirds of the state is either submerged, eroded or cut off. But the worst hit is Anambra Central. From Awka South to Idemili North, from Njikoka to Anaocha and Dunukofia, the story is the same: homes flooded, roads gone, buildings collapsing.
Disaster Roll Call – All In Anambra Central
Nibo-Isiagu Road, Awka South: In the early hours of Tuesday, September 22, a school bus with seven pupils and two adults was trapped in flood along Nibo-Isiagu Road. Operatives of the Police Safe School Initiative rescued nine persons with help from community youths. One child, Success Ezenwafor, was swept away but early Tuesday was recovered following Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama’s, order of sustained search.
Aguoye, Umudioka Village, Awka: Two buildings collapsed into an expanding gully. The house belonging to Diamond, popularly called Eze-Udo, was swallowed completely. Another belonging to the family of Hon. Okwy Nweke was badly damaged. Residents now sleep with one eye open as the gully inches closer to their compounds.
Ogidi, Idemili North: Ogidi, hometown of Chinua Achebe, has become the face of the Anambra Central flood crisis. Last month, flood sacked the traditional ruler, Igwe Alexander Uzo Onyido, Ezechuamagha of Ogidi, from his palace, submerging the entire compound and exotic cars. The old Awka-Onitsha Road in Ogidi has remained impassable for years, forcing families to abandon homes. Despite Governor Soludo’s visit in 2025 and promise of 8km new drains, work is yet to start.
Obosi and Nkpor, Idemili North: In Obosi, hometown of Chief Emeka Anyaoku, several households have relocated. In Nkpor, Umusiome community landlords say they spent millions on self-help to control flood from Ogbeudo Road flowing towards Ogidi and Abatete, but the road network is now completely deteriorated and almost impassable.
Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, and other politicians have all called on the Federal Government to declare an ecological emergency in the zone, citing active gullies in Enugwu-Agidi, Ogidi and Ugamuma Village, Obosi.
Why The Hills Are No Longer Safe
Experts say Anambra Central’s flooding is man-made. Awka sits on higher ground, but most new estates and roads in Awka, Nawfia and Enugwu-Ukwu were built without linked drainage. Water from one tarred road is simply channeled into the next community. Plazas have been built on natural waterways at Building Materials Market, Ogidi, while catchment pits are absent in many parts of Awka.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency had warned that Awka South, Awka North, Anaocha, Njikoka, Idemili North and Idemili South were on high flood risk between September 19 and 25. The warning came true.
Dubai-Taiwan Dream Under Water
For many in Anambra Central, Governor Charles Soludo’s Dubai-Taiwan promise has now become an albatross. Dubai-Taiwan cannot happen without underground drainage. Roads alone are not development if they create rivers that enter people’s homes.
What Must Be Done Immediately
1. Declare Ecological Emergency in Anambra Central: The seven LGAs of the zone should be declared a disaster zone to unlock federal ecological funds.
2. Complete Ogidi Flood Control: Phase 1 of the project which links Nkpor, Ogidi and Obosi must be executed immediately. Phase 2 and 3 mean nothing without Phase 1.
3. Demolish Structures on Waterways: The State Capital Territory Development Authority must enforce removal of buildings on drains.
4. Rain Water Master Plan for Central: A comprehensive master plan linking Awka, Nibo, Nise, Ogidi, Nkpor and Obosi to retention ponds, not gullies.
5. Federal Intervention: NEWMAP and the Ecological Project Office must return to Anambra Central with funding, not just media presence.
Two-thirds of Anambra may be flooded today, but Anambra Central is sinking first. If the heart of the state drowns, the Dubai-Taiwan dream drowns with it.
