29th September, 2026 | News

Anambra: Parents Keep Children Home as Heavy Rain Revives Flood Fears in Awka

Many parents and guardians in Awka, Anambra State, kept their children away from school following heavy rainfall that revived fears about flooding, barely a week after a six-year-old pupil died after being swept away by floodwaters.

The latest downpour began around 4am and lasted for several hours, prompting some parents to assess weather conditions, road safety and the routes their children normally use before deciding whether to allow them to leave home.

The concerns came exactly one week after Success Ezenwafor, a six-year-old pupil of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Primary School, was swept away by floodwaters while travelling to school in a bus with other children.

Parents Recall Recent Flood Tragedy

Success was initially reported missing after the incident, while other children and adults in the vehicle were rescued. His death was subsequently confirmed.

With the tragedy still fresh, some parents said they were unwilling to take risks when another heavy rainfall hit Awka and surrounding communities.

One parent told THISDAY that the recent death remained a major concern for families.

“After what happened last week, nobody should blame a parent for keeping a child at home when there is this kind of rain,” the parent said.

Parents Urged to Prioritise Safety

Journalist Jude Atupulazi also urged parents to put the safety of their children ahead of school attendance whenever roads and other routes appeared dangerous.

Reflecting on the previous week’s incident, Atupulazi urged parents to assess their surroundings and the routes their children use before allowing them to travel to school.

“Parents, please check your environment and the route your kids take to school. If not safe, let them stay at home,” he said.

Some Awka Schools Record Pupil Absences

A THISDAY correspondent who monitored schools in Awka reported that several schools recorded noticeable absences among pupils.

The absences were particularly observed among children living in areas considered vulnerable to flooding and erosion.

Parents in affected communities reportedly remained cautious as rainfall continued and concerns about the safety of roads and access routes persisted.

Heavy Rain Raises Flood Concerns in Awka

The latest rainfall has heightened concerns over flooding in Awka, where previous downpours have caused property damage and increased the vulnerability of some communities to erosion.

Residents are now facing renewed concerns about the safety of children travelling to school during periods of intense rainfall.

The situation has also renewed calls for families to monitor local weather and road conditions and avoid routes that become unsafe during heavy rainfall.