Commuters Stranded As Flood Hijack Abuja Highways After Rainfall

Motorists and workers in Abuja on Wednesday got stranded when late afternoon heavy rainfall which lasted for about one hour took over major highways and rendered vehicular movement at standstill.

Periscope News correspondent who witnessed some flooded highways described the situation as dire, with moving vehicles struggling to navigate through the deluge.

Recall that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had earlier warned that 14 states and 31 communities across the nation may witness heavy rainfall that may lead to flooding between July 4 – 8.

NEMA, in a statement signed by Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Territorial Coordinator, Lagos Territorial Office urged relevant stakeholders within the states concerned to take precautionary measures to forestall loss of lives and property.

Although Abuja, the nation’s capital was not included in the flood alert, Wednesday’s heavy downpour caused significant traffic snarl with commercial and private vehicles queuing on the available safe ground due to inability to progress.

The unfortunate event has been recurring, causing concern among residents who nurse the fears of further damage if the rain continues at this rate.

About 116 houses went down the drains and property worth hundreds of millions of naira damaged in a heavy downpour at the popular Trademore Estate in Lugbe in the Federal Capital Territory recently.

NEMA warned that states and communities as Plateau: Langtang and Shendam; Kano State: Sumaila, Tudun wada; Sokoto State: Shagari, Goronyo and Silame; Delta: Okwe are prone to flooding between Tuesday and Saturday.

Others include Kaduna State: Kachia; Akwa Ibom: Upenekang; Adamawa: Mubi, Demsa, Song, Mayo-Belwa, Jimeta, and Yola; Katsina State: Katsina, Jibia, Kaita and Bindawa.

He also added Kebbi State: Wara, Yelwa and Gwandu; Zamfara: Shinkafi and Gummi

Borno: Briyel; Jigawa: Gwaram; Kwara: Jebba;is Niger: Mashegu and Kontagora are also included.