The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has advised residents living around water channels in Abuja to move to safer locations as heavy rainfall continues across the nation’s capital.
The warning followed a flash flood incident that occurred in the early hours of Friday at a one-storey building located at 22 Anthony Ikem Street, behind Blue Cabana Hotel in the Mabushi District.
In a statement released by the Head of Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, the agency disclosed that intense overnight rainfall caused floodwater to enter the building and submerge the ground floor apartments.
According to the statement, FEMD “received a distress call at about 3:00 a.m.” and immediately deployed its Search and Rescue Team to the affected area.
The agency explained that the two apartments on the lower level of the building were flooded up to window height. Rescue officials also had to manually evacuate water from the property after the generator powering the pumping machine failed.
Although “no life was lost,” the flood reportedly destroyed several household valuables, including food items, personal belongings and important documents belonging to the occupants.
The agency further stated, “Meanwhile, the Acting Director-General of FEMD, Abdulrahman Mohammed, has appealed to residents living close to water channels to relocate as the rainy season intensifies.
“Abdulrahman also called for the clearing of blocked drains and the removal of structures built on water channels.”
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FEMD noted that Abuja has experienced repeated cases of flash flooding in recent years, especially during periods of heavy rainfall.
The department attributed the recurring incidents to blocked drainage systems, rapid urban expansion and the construction of buildings along natural waterways.
The agency warned that communities situated in low-lying areas remain highly vulnerable to flooding and stressed the importance of taking preventive measures as the rainy season progresses.