Residents and motorists were stranded in some parts of Abuja on Saturday after heavy rainfall caused flooding in several communities of the nation’s capital.
Flooding was reported in Wuse 2, including Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, around Delight Event Centre in Gudu, and parts of Efab Estate in Lokogoma.
The bridge linking Gaduwa and Durumi was also flooded, preventing motorists from crossing.
The Ebeano-Gudu road and its connecting bridge were also affected.
A video shared by a resident showed motorists and pedestrians unable to cross the flooded road.
‘Dear Honourable Minister of the FCT, please come to our rescue. This is the current situation of Ebeano/Gudu Road. The bridge is flooded,’ the resident said.
‘People coming from Gudu junction can’t cross, and people coming from Ebeano can’t get to Gudu.’
The flooding has raised fresh concerns about Abuja’s ability to cope with heavy rainfall, especially as the rainy season continues.
The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) have warned of a high risk of flooding this rainy season.
The Federal Capital Territory is among the areas identified as vulnerable.
NiHSA also warned that the risk of flooding could increase between August and September and advised residents in vulnerable areas to take precautions.
Environmental experts say heavy rainfall is not the only reason for Abuja’s flooding.
They blame the city’s rapid growth, construction on waterways and the loss of natural drainage channels.
Kenneth Iyamu, a retired Air Vice Marshal and president of the Association of Environmental Protection and Climate Change Practitioners, told BusinessDay that Abuja was originally planned with green areas and natural water channels to reduce the risk of flooding.
He said many of these areas have since been built over for homes, businesses and roads.
‘Water channels and green areas have been built over, so floodwaters are now being redirected into communities that were previously considered safe,’ he said.
He added that the loss of these natural drainage routes has made more communities vulnerable to flooding.
Several parts of Abuja, including Trademore Estate, Karimu, Galadimawa and Idu, have experienced repeated flooding after heavy rainfall.
Iyamu said the flooding of areas that were previously considered safe shows that Abuja’s natural flood protection has been reduced.
He also called for better plans to help people who are forced to leave their homes because of flooding.
According to him, government should provide temporary shelters, food, security and support for affected residents, including arrangements for their livelihoods and children’s education.
‘You cannot simply tell people to vacate without providing shelters, food support, security and arrangements for livelihoods and education,’ he said.
Abuja’s repeated flooding shows that the problem goes beyond heavy rainfall. Blocked drains, poor waste disposal, development on waterways and weak enforcement of planning rules are also contributing to the problem.
Experts say government needs to improve drainage, protect natural water channels and enforce planning rules before more heavy rainfall causes further disruption across the capital.
Abdulrahman Mohammed, acting director-general of the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD),said the agency had increased its preparations after receiving flood warnings from NiHSA and NiMet.
He said FEMD had started public awareness campaigns in vulnerable communities and was monitoring water levels around rivers, drainage channels and areas prone to flooding.
Mohammed admitted that many of the flash floods within the city were caused by blocked drainage channels and poor waste disposal.
‘The flash floods we are seeing within the city are mainly because drainage channels are blocked,’ he said.
He said FEMD had informed relevant government agencies before the rainy season that drainage channels needed to be cleared.
When asked whether this pointed to failures by the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Mohammed said, ‘I think so.’
The repeated flooding has led to calls for stronger enforcement of Abuja’s planning and environmental rules.
Stakeholders want government to identify flood-prone areas, remove structures built on waterways and clear blocked drainage channels.
They also want better planning to prevent people from building on flood plains and natural drainage routes.
FEMD is monitoring several vulnerable communities across the six area councils, including Yangoji, Lugbe, parts of Kwali, Gwagwalada, Bwari, Wuse and areas around Trademore Estate.
The agency has also warned that people who build illegally on flood plains may not qualify for government compensation or relocation if their land was not legally allocated.
Mohammed said residents with valid land allocations could be considered for compensation or relocation, while those who built without the required approvals could face a different situation.