No fewer than six buildings have been destroyed, with several families displaced, following severe gully erosion in the Ibolo community of Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Residents said the erosion has continued to expand with every rainfall, cutting deep into residential areas, leaving homes on the brink of collapse and forcing affected families to abandon their properties for safety, reports Channels TV.
One of the victims, Mr Edmond Anazodo, attributed the worsening erosion to years of unchecked surface runoff and the absence of effective erosion control measures.
He appealed to the Anambra State government and relevant intervention agencies to urgently come to the aid of the community, warning that more buildings could be lost if immediate action is not taken.
Community leaders also expressed concern over the growing environmental disaster, describing the erosion as a major threat to lives, property and critical infrastructure.
They said the gully has continued to encroach on residential buildings and access roads, disrupting economic activities and exposing residents to significant danger, particularly during the peak of the rainy season.
The affected residents called for urgent engineering intervention, including the construction of drainage channels and erosion control structures, to halt the advance of the gully.
They warned that without prompt government action, more families could be displaced and additional homes destroyed by the environmental menace, which has become a recurring challenge in several communities across Anambra State.
In response to growing environmental threats, the Anambra State government has stepped up efforts to tackle erosion, flooding and other environmental challenges through a combination of engineering projects, enforcement of environmental regulations and public sensitisation campaigns.
Among the measures taken is the inspection of flood- and erosion-prone sites by the Commissioner for Works, Mr Okey Ezeobi, alongside the Commissioners for Environment and Physical Planning.
The officials recently visited flood-prone and erosion-ravaged communities in Ogidi, Onitsha and surrounding areas to assess the extent of the damage and identify intervention priorities.
The government has also intensified enforcement against buildings and structures obstructing drainage channels and natural waterways.
It warned that illegal developments blocking stormwater pathways, particularly around markets and urban centres, would be removed to reduce the risk of flooding.
In addition, the Ministry of Environment has sustained its campaign against indiscriminate waste disposal, urging residents to stop dumping refuse, particularly plastic waste, into drains and waterways.
The ministry noted that blocked drainage channels remain one of the major causes of flooding during the rainy season.
The state government has also continued to collaborate with the federal government and development partners, including the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), as well as other intervention agencies, to secure funding for major erosion control projects in vulnerable communities.
The government has also appealed to affected communities to remain calm, assuring them that efforts are ongoing to address the situation.
