Thousands of families have been displaced, multibillion naira investments ruined as severe flooding wreak havoc across Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and other states in the southern parts of Nigeria.
The flooding was triggered by several hours of severe rainfall across several cities and highways, including Agbarho, Effurun and Warri in Delta State, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and the East-West Highway.
From Port Harcourt to Warri, Agbarho, Effurun, Benin City and Asaba, the rains have disrupted normal life, leaving motorists struggling to navigate flooded roads and residents worried about rising water levels around their homes and businesses.
Many residents of the affected areas are being dislodged from their homes and turned into squatters as they seek refuge in the least affected parts of the cities.
Rivers disrupted by severe flooding
In Port Harcourt, several communities and major roads were inundated following heavy rainfall. Areas reported affected include Rukpokwu, Ozuoba, Peter Odili Road, Aba Road, Eliozu, Eneka, SARS Road, NTA Road and parts of Rumuokwuta.
Eyewitness accounts of the flooding in Eliozu, Rukpoku and other parts of the Rivers State capital, revealed displacements of not only residents, but also fishes and wildlife. Some residents posted videos and photos of fishes swimming in their compounds.
An eyewitness posted a video showing a crocodile swimming in flood water around Eliozu area of the city, but this was not independently verified by Naija Daily News.
However, there were many confirmed accounts of catfishes being caught by residents in the front of their homes and apartments, and snakes and rodents swept out of their hidings.
Flooding ravages Delta, East-West Highway
The situation was particularly severe in parts of Delta State, where an extended downpour submerged homes, schools, businesses and roads in Warri, Effurun, Agbarho, Udu, Uvwie, Ughelli and surrounding communities.
In Agbarho, sections of the Effurun-Agbarho stretch of the East-West Road were covered by water up to knee level. The flood disrupted movement along the busy corridor linking communities in Delta and Rivers states. Several streets and residential areas were also affected.
In Effurun and Uvwie, areas including Refinery Road, Jakpa Road, Effurun-Sapele Road, Ebrumede, Ugbomro and parts of Ekpan were affected. Houses, shops, schools, hotels and business premises were surrounded or submerged by floodwater.
Warri also recorded severe flooding in several locations, including Ubeji, Okere, Okumagba Avenue and other residential and commercial areas. Some schools were affected, disrupting academic activities.
The flooding of the East-West Highway has raised concerns about a further disruption of movement of goods and services in the strategic chokepoint linking Nigeria’s financial capital with the oil hub of the Niger Delta and industrial Southeast region.
Residents, businesses, governments count loses
The intense floodings across these cities are inflicting severe economic and mental tolls on victims and governments. Many roofs, windows and even entire buildings have been blown away and would require huge repair costs.
Many cars have either been swept away or remain submerged in flood water for several days, leading to significant loses for owners and insurers.
The ongoing reconstruction and repair of the East-West Highway is already being affected by the flood, particularly around Agbarho and Patani in Delta State, as well as Okogbe – Ahoada in Rivers State.
Many public and private schools have been ravaged by the severe flooding, while teachers and students alike are unable to get to schools in many of the of the affected areas.
Flooding Warnings
The severe flooding comes amid broader warnings from federal authorities about elevated flood risks across parts of southern Nigeria.
The National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre has identified communities in Rivers, Delta, Edo and Lagos, among other states, as being at risk during the period covering late September and early October. Major urban centres listed in the warning include Port Harcourt, Benin City, Asaba and Lagos.
Benin City and Asaba are therefore among the southern urban centres being closely watched as rainfall continues, while Lagos has also received flood warnings for vulnerable low-lying, riverine and coastal communities.
The flooding has renewed concerns over drainage capacity, blocked waterways, rapid urban development and the vulnerability of roads and communities to intense rainfall.
Authorities have advised residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant, avoid driving or walking through moving floodwater and move to safer locations when necessary. Residents have also been urged to monitor official weather and emergency alerts and keep drains and waterways free of refuse.
As rainfall continues across parts of the South, residents and commuters have been urged to exercise caution, particularly along major highways and low-lying areas where floodwaters can rise rapidly.
The latest incidents have once again highlighted the need for sustained investment in drainage infrastructure, flood-control measures and the protection of natural waterways in rapidly growing southern Nigerian cities.
