An early morning downpour on Thursday disrupted motion in a number of elements of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), leaving residents stranded and heightening security considerations.
Worst-hit areas included Guzape and Asokoro, the place retailers and automobiles had been submerged as floodwaters rose above knee degree. Motorists had been compelled to desert their vehicles, and lots of commuters waded by the water to achieve security.
Viral movies and eyewitness accounts confirmed vehicles practically submerged as flash floods swept by the districts, as soon as once more elevating considerations about Abuja’s drainage infrastructure. Site visitors gridlock saved many stranded for about two hours.
The flooding occurred simply days after the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Administration Division (FEMD) issued a public advisory warning of probably heavy rainfall throughout Abuja and neighbouring states.
Appearing Director-Basic of FEMD, Mr. Abdulrahman Mohammed, had cautioned residents in opposition to driving into flooded areas and urged them to attend till floodwaters receded earlier than trying to cross.
He additionally suggested households to modify off electrical home equipment throughout storms and report emergencies utilizing the 112 toll-free line.
The warning echoed the Nigerian Meteorological Company’s (NiMet) forecast of thunderstorms and heavy rains throughout Abuja, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, and Plateau States earlier within the week.
NiMet additionally projected comparable climate circumstances in elements of Taraba, Adamawa, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Borno, Gombe, and Bauchi States.
Officers have renewed requires vigilance, stressing the necessity for residents to take climate alerts significantly to stop avoidable lack of lives and property.
Flooding has lengthy plagued Abuja, notably in districts akin to Gwagwalada, Kado, Karu, Kubwa, and Lokogoma, the place fast urbanisation and blocked drainage channels worsen the issue.
Notable incidents embody the 2011 flood that displaced over 1,000 residents in Gwagwalada, the 2017 flash floods that killed a number of individuals in Lokogoma and Galadimawa, and the 2021 Lugbe and Trademore Property flood that claimed lives and destroyed property value tens of millions.
City planners and residents alike have repeatedly referred to as for pressing upgrades to the town’s drainage infrastructure, stricter regulation of constructing developments on floodplains, and improved waste administration to mitigate the perennial danger.
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