From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Snakes, crocodiles and other kinds of dangerous reptiles have invaded communities in parts of Delta State as the ravaging flood continued to devastate the areas.
This is even as the flood has already submerge part of the East-West Road, trapping trucks laden with relief materials meant for victims in ravaged communities.
Giving an update of the flood situation in Asaba on Friday, Director General of Delta State Bureau of Orientation, Mr. Eugene Uzum confirmed the killing of a big python at Patani.
Uzum advised residents of flooded areas to relocate as they do not only have to cope with the disaster but also with dangerous sea animals that are released as a result of the overflow of the river.
He said as at Wednesday, one part of the Ughelli-Patani axis of the East-West Road was flooded, noting that at the moment, the flood has completely overwhelmed the road.
“Trucks conveying relief materials to that axis have been trapped. We now make use of speed boats to access the IDP camp to deliver materials to the victims,” he said.
Uzum disclosed that ten functional IDP camps have been opened at various locations by the state government to provide temporal accommodation to displaced residents.
According to him, 4,755 persons including men, women, children, lactating mothers, pregnant women and persons with disabilities, have so far registered at the camps across the state.
Although, Uzum could not ascertain the number of communities so far affected as the water level was still rising, he stated that 19 out of the 25 local government areas were flooded.
As a result of the impact of the flood, Uzum stated that the state government has already given a marching order to all political appointees from affected areas to go back to their communites to provide intervention.
“We want to empathise with the victims of the flood. We specifically commend their strength and also in adhering to government earlier warning to relocate from flood prone areas.
“As at today, the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) has intervened by opening two camps. The interventionist agency has also be opening up canals for water to flow freely.
“The state government through the 2022 flood management committee, has also opened ten functional IDP camps with the prospects of opening more.
“The committee also created distribution centres from where relief materials would be taken to IDP camps.
“We are collaborating with traditional rulers, community leaders to rescue people and provide the needed succour.
“As such, with assistance of the office of the Senior Political Adviser, all political appointees from affected communities have been directed to go back home rather than remaining here in Asaba,” he said.
Uzum stated that the early warning measures through sensitisation helped in reducing the number of casualties, although the official figure of those who have so far die in the flood was not handy.
Unofficially, however, three persons died in Oko, near Asaba, two others were swept away in Ndokwa while three persons also died in Isoko area.