Another Flood Death In Asaba, Graduate Swept Away

Chinedu Igboke, a polytechnic graduate who resides in Asaba, the Delta state capital has been killed by ravaging flood in the metropolis.

The victim was reportedly swept away by the rampaging flood on Monday evening in the state capital.

Asaba is prone to flood due to torrential rains that often pound the capital city for hours non-stop.

This is coming few months after a 12-year-old girl was swept away by flood in Okpanam community of Delta State after heavy rains, which lasted several hours in same manner.

The latest victim of flood water death who is said to be in his thirties, hailed from Ebonyi State.

He was working as security guard in a private school along Shekinah Love Assembly Street, Off Ralph Uwechue Way, Okpanam Road, Asaba.

BIGPEN Online understands that the victim had volunteered to control the traffic jam which built up on the Shekinah Love Assembly street owing to heavy gridlock along ever-busy Okpanam road when he mis-stepped and fell into a deep uncovered paved gutter along the earth road.

Our source disclosed that the spot where the victim was said to have fell was almost over grown with weeds.

“The gutter was filled with running water when Igboke fell into it, our source said, adding that “before help could come, he had already floated into the deep tunnel which channels storm water from the area into Anwai River.

“When he fell into the water, he slammed his head against the concrete walls of the gutter. So he might have lost strength to swim against the tide before being floated helplessly into the tunnel,” the source said

According to the source, the school authority where Igboke worked as security guard, mobilised divers and swimmers to comb Anwai River in futile search of the body.

“We suspect that the body maybe hanging somewhere along this tunnel because of of blockade inside. We went with them to the river but they could not recover his body,” the source added.

Meanwhile, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, during his independence anniversary broadcast on Tuesday, expressed sympathy with individuals, communities and families of flood victims in the state, saying that government was doing its best to tackle the scourge and check future occurrences.

“Fellow Deltans, I like to use this opportunity to sympathize with communities and individuals, particularly those who are suffering various degrees of setbacks following consistent flooding these past few years during rainy season.  

“I need to re-emphasize that those still in flood prone areas should relocate to higher grounds.

“We are committed to checking future occurrences through the institution of modern planning regimes for cities and the construction of drainage systems and embankment in the riverine areas of the State.

“I therefore, appeal to all residents to avoid building houses and kiosks in unauthorized places to avoid blockage of natural water-ways, with its attendant disasters.

“We are coming to a point where those who deliberately build on water channels will be denied compensation if their structures are pulled down”, the governor warned.