FLOODING FORCES OGHARA RESIDENTS FROM HOMES AS DELTA GOVERNMENT ASSESSES DAMAGE

Several residents of Oghara in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State have been displaced from their homes after days of heavy rainfall triggered flooding across parts of the community, submerging houses and damaging household property.

The flooding has left affected families counting their losses, with some residents forced to abandon their homes as water levels continued to rise. The situation has prompted the Delta State Government to begin an assessment of the affected areas to determine the scale of the damage and identify communities and households requiring urgent assistance.

The state Commissioner for the Bureau of Special Duties, Ejiro Terry Etacherure, led members of the State Emergency Management Team on an inspection of the affected areas on Monday. During the visit, the commissioner expressed sympathy to residents who had been affected and said the government would consider appropriate measures to provide immediate relief.

Etacherure explained that the assessment was necessary to obtain a clearer picture of the extent of the flooding and determine the areas where government intervention was most urgently required. He also reaffirmed the state administration’s concern for the safety and welfare of residents affected by the disaster.

Residents, however, said the impact of the flooding had been severe. Speaking on behalf of the Oghara community, Edafe Abada said several houses had been submerged and that some residents had been compelled to leave their homes because of the rising water.

Abada appealed to the state government to urgently intervene by improving drainage infrastructure and assisting families whose homes and personal belongings had been affected. He said a stronger response was needed to prevent the situation from worsening and to reduce the impact of future flooding incidents.

The government, while assessing the damage, also raised concerns about human activities that could aggravate flooding. Etacherure warned residents against indiscriminate disposal of refuse and the obstruction of drainage channels, noting that blocked waterways can prevent stormwater from flowing freely during periods of heavy rainfall.

The commissioner also cautioned residents against constructing buildings on waterways, stressing that such developments could obstruct natural drainage routes and increase the risk of flooding. He urged residents to take greater responsibility for keeping their surroundings and drainage channels clear.

As part of the immediate response, Etacherure directed the Environmental Department of the Ethiope West Local Government Council to commence sensitisation campaigns across Oghara. The department was also instructed to ensure that blocked drainage channels were cleared to improve the movement of stormwater.

The commissioner maintained that effective flood management could not be achieved through government intervention alone, stressing the need for residents to support preventive measures. He encouraged members of the community to regularly clear their surroundings and drainage systems, particularly during the rainy season.

Flooding has remained a recurring challenge in parts of Delta State, and Oghara has previously been identified as an area requiring flood and erosion-control interventions. The state government had also intensified preparations ahead of the peak of the rainy season by identifying vulnerable communities and potential locations that could serve as emergency shelters.

The latest incident has renewed calls for stronger drainage infrastructure and more effective flood-control measures in Oghara. For affected residents, the immediate priority is assistance with damaged homes and property, while longer-term attention is expected to focus on preventing repeated flooding.

The Delta State Government said the ongoing assessment would help guide its response to the current emergency and determine the measures required to reduce the frequency and severity of flooding in the community.