Climate Change
Flood Submerges 116 Houses In FCT Estate As Residents Recount Losses
It happens every year and there is no solution; it is a pity.
Climate change is a long-term trend in global weather patterns, and while individual weather events like floods and storms can be influenced by climate change.
At least 116 houses at the popular Trademore Estate in Lugbe, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), were submerged while property worth hundreds of millions of naira was damaged in a heavy downpour on Friday.
Some residents of the estate were seen trying to save their lives and salvage their property after their houses were submerged.
A resident, Pius Bimbo, said he almost lost his pregnant wife to the flood, describing the experience as terrible.
“My wife is very heavy; and even this morning, was complaining of stomach pain. I said if it’s a labour, maybe later in the day, we would go to the hospital; then all of a sudden, this flood happened. We had to drag her to a safer place, and before you could say, Jack Robinson, the water was at our neck level. It’s was terrible experience for her. As I am speaking to you now, I don’t know her situation because she is somewhere because we don’t have anywhere to stay,” he said.
Another resident, Ashedu Gloria, said she lost properties worth millions of naira to the flood.
She said measures against flood should have been considered when developing the area.
“It happens every year and there is no solution; it is a pity. When they were developing the area they should have put this thing into consideration. The drainage system is very important. This place is a very sloppy area and they didn’t consider that.
The Director General of the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Dr Abbas G. Idriss, said the floods were caused by infractions on the water channel and appealed to residents whose houses are built on the water channel to relocate.
He added that Trademore is on the water channel and therefore vulnerable to floods.
He stated that the floods had receded, and therefore appreciated all stakeholders, especially the residents for their efforts and cooperation to ensure that no life was lost.
Meanwhile, that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency NIHSA had predicted heavy floods in the FCT, this rainy season, he appealed to residents of the Estate whose houses sit on the water channel to relocate.
Idriss however, urged residents to always use the 112 Emergency toll-free number in the event of an emergency.
Afrika Eyes observed that the occurrence of floods in Abuja suggests that the city may be more vulnerable to such events in the future. It highlights the urgent need for sustainable urban planning and infrastructure development to mitigate the impacts of climate change and protect vulnerable communities.