Heavy Rain Floods Homes, Schools, Churches in Makurdi

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

A heavy downpour has flooded several parts of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, submerging homes, schools, churches, businesses and major roads and leaving some residents and commuters stranded.

The rain began at about 6 p.m. on Sunday and continued into Monday, with a light drizzle still falling at the time of filing this report.

The rainfall, described by some residents as one of the heaviest recorded in the city this year, affected residential areas, churches, schools, eateries and bars across the metropolis.

Among the worst-hit areas were Ankpa Quarters, including the area behind the Methodist Church; Owner Occupier Estate along George Akume Way; New GRA; Radio Benue; Nyiman; Idye; and Naka Road.

Other affected locations included Achussa, North Bank, Tilley Gyado-Terwase Agbadu, Wurukum, Wadata and the area behind the Customary Court.

Some residents attributed the severity of the flooding in parts of the city to ongoing road and drainage construction, saying blocked channels caused rainwater to overflow into streets and residential areas.

Several commuters were stranded as flooded roads made movement difficult in some parts of Makurdi.

A visit by our correspondent to some of the affected areas showed that residential buildings and businesses located near construction sites and waterways were particularly affected, with floodwater entering streets and homes.

At Idye and Old Otukpo Road, some streets became difficult to access, prompting residents to appeal to the Benue State Government to accelerate ongoing road and drainage projects.

Residents said movement in the affected communities had become increasingly difficult during heavy rainfall.

One resident commended Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration for efforts to address perennial flooding through road and drainage construction but urged the government to ensure that channels temporarily blocked during construction were reopened to allow water to flow freely.

The resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the closure of some roads and drainage channels during construction had contributed to the flooding experienced in parts of the city.

Reacting to the situation, the Information Officer of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), Terma Ager, confirmed that Wadata, Achussa, Wurukum and other flood-prone communities were badly affected.

Ager said the agency had previously carried out sensitisation campaigns across the state, warning residents of flood-prone communities to move to safer locations.

He added that BSEMA officials were assessing the situation to determine the appropriate intervention.

“This is the last lap of the rainy season, and usually, it floods many places. We are urging residents living in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer areas. We are also assessing the situation and will intervene accordingly,” Ager said.