The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the death of one person in Enugu-Otu, Aguleri, in Anambra State, following devastating flood disaster in the area.

The Acting State Coordinator, Mr. Thickman Tanimu, disclosed this to newsmen in Awka, yesterday, adding that the deceased, identified as Ginikanwa Izuoba, was reported dead due to the sudden collapse of his apartment occasioned by the impact of the flood.

According to him, no fewer than 651,053 persons have been rendered homeless by the disaster in six councils of the state.

He disclosed that Ogbaru Council recorded the highest number of victims with 286,000 persons, followed by Anambra East, 237,000 and Anambra West, with 103,000 victims.

He said other councils affected were Awka North with about 10,345 victims, Ayamelum, 9,240 flood cases with 5,468 displaced persons.

He also said that NEMA, accompanied by officials of Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), visited Umueze-Anam, Mkpunando, Igbedo, Inoma and Ifite-Ogwari, all in Anambra East and Anyamelum councils to assess situations.

He pointed out that the assessment team observed that the flood has submerged houses, farmlands, schools, health centres, police stations and Churches, as well as other critical infrastructure.

He added: “We did the assessment tour with a boat because the access roads to the communities have been submerged by flood water.”

Tanimu commended SEMA for taking some proactive measures to mitigate the impact of the disaster, including identification of 13 Internally Displaced Person camps, recruitment of camp managers, support staff and activation of health workers to work with people in the camps.

He noted that the camps so far activated include: Ifite-Ogwari and Igbakwu Health Centres, and promised to report their findings to the management of the agency. He added that based on that, they can now deploy appropriate relief materials.