Residents of Ubahu village in Nanka community of Orumba North local
governnent area of Anambra State have been thrown into panic following
major landslide resulting to loss of homes and farmlands.
The multiple eruption was said to have damaged farmlands, homes, major
access roads and economic trees.
It was gathered that residents of the area scampered for safety as the
community, which habours multiple gully erosion sites, recently erupted
following heavy rainfall.
It was also learnt that resident in the area had abandoned their homes
and farmland for safer areas of the community since after the incident.
The late Francis Eze family, said to have a home near the Obeagu gully
erosion had fled their home, including other families.
An indigene of the area and an environmental activist, Ikenna Ezenekwe,
said the fear of further landslides remained a constant reminder to the
villagers.
He regretted that the fear of the gully which appeared hopeless and
without help may grew further.
He said: “During the Peter Obi administration, in the rainy season of
2008, Governor Peter Obi paid a visit to Obeagu gully erosion following
a previous landslide which swept the home of Madam Bridget Eze.
“Governor Peter Obi made the pledge to assist the people of Ubahu
village to ameliorate the fast growing gully erosion. The Governor
promised to construct gutter channels to control the storm flow. The
gutters have yet to be constructed.
“In 2010, the gully became more aggressive as a result of increased
unregulated storm flow. Within the short period of 2009 to 2019, Obeagu
gully erosion doubled its original size.
“In their efforts to ameliorate the growing disaster, the village
leaders took up self-action.
They started by providing land for some of the families that lost their
lands. They embarked on opening another access road to Umudala village
and to install new electric power lines.”