Heavy rainfall on Sunday triggered widespread flooding across several parts of Abuja, submerging roads, stranding motorists and forcing some residents to evacuate their homes as concerns grew over the Federal Capital Territory’s preparedness for increasingly intense rainfall.
Flooding was reported in Wuse 2, Katampe, Mabushi, Lugbe, Nyanya, Gwarinpa, Asokoro, Maitama, Utako, Wuye, Gudu and around the bridge linking Gaduwa and Durumi.
In Wuse 2, residents reported significant flooding on roads and surrounding areas following the downpour, with vehicles seen caught in floodwater.
At Gudu, the Delight Event Centre was reportedly heavily flooded, while the bridge linking Gaduwa and Durumi was inundated, leaving some motorists stranded.
The latest incidents have renewed concerns over Abuja’s drainage infrastructure, waste management practices and urban planning, particularly in areas where drainage channels are inadequate, poorly maintained or obstructed by refuse.
Although the heavy rainfall was the immediate trigger, residents and environmental observers said the impact of flooding was being worsened by human activities, including indiscriminate waste disposal, the conversion of green areas and the obstruction of natural waterways.
Plastic bottles, nylon bags, food waste, sand and other debris dumped around roads and drainage channels can restrict the movement of stormwater, causing water to accumulate rapidly when rainfall becomes intense.
Rapid urbanisation has also increased the volume of paved and built-up surfaces across the capital, reducing the amount of exposed soil and vegetation available to absorb rainwater and increasing the volume of runoff entering drainage systems.
Residents have also expressed concern over developments around designated green areas and waterways, arguing that the conversion of some of these spaces for residential and commercial purposes could be reducing the city’s natural capacity to absorb and channel stormwater.
Abraham Bello said the conversion of green areas could be contributing to the worsening flooding experienced across the FCT.
Similarly, Ahmad Rufai said residents were now facing the consequences of developments that had encroached on green areas and waterways.
“We (residents) are now witnessing the consequences of allocating green areas and waterways for residential and commercial buildings in Abuja,” Rufai said.
He also blamed poor public services, particularly waste management and sewage maintenance, for aggravating the flooding situation.
The latest flooding has intensified calls for the FCT authorities to strengthen enforcement of physical planning regulations, protect waterways and green areas, improve drainage infrastructure and intensify waste management efforts.
The National Emergency Management Agency had earlier warned that prolonged rainfall and saturated soil conditions could increase the risk of rapid surface runoff, particularly in low-lying communities and urban centres with inadequate drainage systems.
The agency advised residents to clear drainage channels and waterways and avoid indiscriminate disposal of refuse.
Meanwhile, the FCT authorities said preparations had been underway based on early warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency.
The Head of Public Affairs, FCT Emergency Management Department, Nkechi Isa, said the agency had intensified flood preparedness and public sensitisation across the territory.
Isa said the Seasonal Climate Prediction issued by NiMet and the Annual Flood Outlook released by NIHSA had served as early-warning documents guiding the FCT’s preparations for the rainy season.
According to her, the authorities had convened a stakeholders’ meeting involving the National Emergency Management Agency, Engineering Services Department, Department of Development Control, FCT Fire Service, Nigerian Red Cross Society and Satellite Towns Development Department.
She said the meeting reviewed previous flooding incidents and identified measures aimed at reducing the impact of the rains.
Isa added that the agency had visited flood-prone communities, including Lugbe and Mabushi, where residents had previously experienced severe flooding, while also assessing locations identified by NIHSA as vulnerable.
She said officials visited Gwagwalada and Kwali Area Councils, where residents were sensitised, traditional institutions engaged and flood-prone locations assessed, while Abaji was also identified among the area councils considered at risk.
According to her, the FCT authorities had intensified awareness campaigns on radio and television, urging residents to clear their drainage channels, avoid construction along waterways and relocate from floodplains to safer and higher ground.
She also called on residents to report developments obstructing the natural flow of water, noting that a case involving a developer allegedly blocking a water channel in Mabushi had already been reported to the relevant authorities.
“We have been going round, sensitising people and creating awareness. We have also been telling people to clear their drains and warning those who live along the floodplain to move to higher ground to avoid loss of lives and property,” she said.
Isa listed Mabushi, Lugbe, parts of Gwarinpa, Wuye, Nyanya and parts of Gwagwalada among areas where flooding had been reported.
She said the situation was particularly severe around a residential building on Anthony Kemp Street, Mabushi, where floodwater reportedly rose to window level and entered the building.
According to her, the owner had taken some mitigation measures, while residents occupying the ground floor had relocated to a safer location.
With more rainfall expected during the season, Isa urged residents to exercise extreme caution around flooded roads, warning that the depth of floodwater could be difficult to determine and that flash floods could sweep away people and vehicles.
“For your own safety, clear your drains and, if you live in a low-lying area or along a water channel, please relocate,” she said.
The latest flooding has again highlighted the need for sustained investment in Abuja’s drainage and stormwater management systems, as well as stricter enforcement of planning regulations and protection of natural waterways, particularly as the rainy season continues.
