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Three-Hour Downpour Triggers Devastating Floods In Maiduguri, Displaces Residents
The heaviest-hit areas include Moro-Moro, Damboa Road, Customs, Bulumkutu, Dubai near Maimalari Barracks, and the Pompomari By-pass, where floodwaters invaded homes
Maiduguri, Borno State– A torrential downpour lasting over three hours on Wednesday has left several communities in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, submerged, rendering many residents homeless and crippling vehicular movement across major routes.
The heaviest-hit areas include Moro-Moro, Damboa Road, Customs, Bulumkutu, Dubai near Maimalari Barracks, and the Pompomari By-pass, where floodwaters invaded homes and businesses, causing widespread destruction.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as residents struggled to salvage their belongings.
“We did not expect anything like this. Our drainage systems are completely blocked, and water from the roads just flowed straight into our homes. Many people have lost their property,” said Ibrahim Goni, a resident of Moro-Moro.
News Agency of Nigeria reports that in Bulumkutu, residents improvised with planks and tyres to cross flooded streets, while others formed makeshift barriers to protect their homes from the rising water.
Aisha Hassan, a local trader, recounted her losses: “It rained nonstop for over three hours. Water started entering our houses before we could pack our things. Women are crying because of their foodstuffs, clothing, and other items that were washed away.”
Transportation was severely disrupted, particularly at the Pompomari By-pass, a key link between several communities.
Commercial vehicles and tricycles abandoned the flooded road, forcing commuters to wade through knee-deep water.
The Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Sirajo Aliyu, confirmed that joint emergency teams had been deployed in collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Borno State Emergency Management Agency (BOSEMA), the military police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
“We have received reports from several flashpoints across Maiduguri, and we have already mobilised response teams. We have visited some areas around Moro-Moro along Customs,” Aliyu said.
He added that the State Committee on the Prevention of Flood had commenced assessments, and his team was currently at Alau Dam monitoring water levels to avert further disasters.
