Six children have been rescued after heavy rainfall triggered severe flooding around Ring Road in Agu Awka, Anambra State, while emergency responders continue searching for one person reported missing in the incident.
The flooding occurred on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, following a heavy downpour that overwhelmed parts of Awka South Local Government Area and disrupted movement around the area.
According to information from officials at the scene, the immediate emergency situation was brought under control after rescue teams moved in to assist people affected by the flood. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) were involved in the rescue and response operations.
The six children rescued from the floodwaters were subsequently taken to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, where they were receiving medical attention.
However, emergency officials said the search for another person who was swept away or became trapped during the flooding was still ongoing as of the latest update.
Floodwaters Disrupt Movement In Awka
The incident caused significant disruption around Ring Road, Agu Awka, with scenes from the area showing the extent to which floodwaters had taken over sections of the road.
Videos circulating from the scene showed people struggling to navigate the flooded area, while emergency situations involving residents and commuters prompted the intervention of responders.
Among the scenes reported were students trapped inside a school bus and a woman who was seen holding onto a tree after being swept into a flooded section.
The situation created a major challenge for movement in the area as floodwaters covered portions of the road and surrounding spaces.
Emergency personnel subsequently moved into the affected area to assess the situation, rescue people who required assistance and prevent further casualties.
Officials from Awka South Local Government Area said the immediate situation had been brought under control, although the operation was not considered completely concluded because the search for the missing person was continuing.
NEMA, SEMA Coordinate Emergency Response
The response to the Awka flooding involved both federal and state emergency management authorities.
NEMA and SEMA have been coordinating activities in the affected area, while local government officials have also been involved in assessing the impact of the rainfall and identifying areas where additional intervention may be required.
The development comes at a time when federal authorities had already raised concerns over the possibility of flooding across several parts of Nigeria.
NEMA, in a separate update issued on September 22, said it had activated its zonal directorates and operations offices in States affected by the latest high-risk flood advisory. The Agency said the move was aimed at strengthening preparedness, monitoring vulnerable communities and ensuring that emergency response teams were ready for possible flooding incidents.
Anambra is among the States covered by the emergency preparedness measures.
NiHSA Had Warned Of Flood Risk
The flooding in Awka occurred within a period already identified by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) as carrying a high risk of riverine flooding.
On September 19, NiHSA issued National Flood Advisory NFA-2026-262, warning of a high risk of riverine flooding across 15 States between September 19 and September 25.
The affected States listed in the advisory were Imo, Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers, Edo, Kogi, Taraba, Delta, Bayelsa, Enugu and Abia.
The Agency attributed the risk to expected rises in river levels and advised authorities and residents in vulnerable communities to take precautionary measures.
NiHSA also called on State Governments, local government councils, emergency management agencies, traditional institutions and community leaders to prepare for possible flooding and encourage residents in vulnerable locations to move to safer and higher ground where necessary.
The warning is particularly significant for Anambra because several local government areas in the State have been identified as vulnerable to flooding.
Several Anambra LGAs Identified As Vulnerable
The latest flood advisory identified several areas in Anambra that could face increased flooding risks, including Awka South, Awka North, Anambra East, Anambra West, Ogbaru, Aguata, Anaocha and Ayamelum.
The inclusion of Awka South is particularly relevant to Tuesday’s incident because Ring Road, Agu Awka, where the flooding occurred, falls within the Awka South area.
Beyond Awka, authorities are also expected to pay closer attention to Ogbaru Local Government Area as rainfall and river levels continue to be monitored.
Following the rescue operation in Awka, the joint NEMA and SEMA response team indicated that Ogbaru would be among the areas receiving further assessment to determine the impact of the continuing rainfall and whether additional communities require urgent assistance.
Flood Concerns Continue Across Nigeria
The Awka incident is part of a broader period of heightened flood concerns across Nigeria.
NiHSA’s September advisory warned that rising river levels could affect communities situated around floodplains in the 15 affected States. Reports on the advisory said thousands of communities and thousands of schools across the affected States had been identified as being exposed to flood risks during the forecast period.
The Agency has repeatedly encouraged residents of vulnerable communities to pay attention to early warnings and take preventive measures rather than waiting until floodwaters become dangerous.
For Anambra residents, the latest incident in Awka highlights the immediate risks associated with intense rainfall, particularly in areas where drainage systems can become overwhelmed within a short period.
As emergency officials continue the search for the missing person, authorities are also expected to maintain surveillance of other flood-prone communities across the State.
For now, the focus remains on locating the missing individual, monitoring the condition of the six rescued children and assessing the wider impact of the flooding in Awka and other vulnerable parts of Anambra State.
Residents in flood-prone locations have been advised by emergency authorities to remain vigilant, follow official warnings and be prepared to move to safer, higher ground if water levels rise.