The Acting Director-General of the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department, FEMD, Abdulrahman Mohammed, has urged people living close to water channels to consider moving to safer areas as rainfall activity increases across Abuja.
The warning came after a flash flood was recorded in the early hoursĀ of FridayĀ at a one-storey building located at 22 Anthony Ikem Street, behind Blue Cabana Hotel in Mabushi District, Abuja.
In a statement issued by the Head of Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, the agency explained that heavy overnight rainfall led to water entering and overwhelming the ground floor of the property.
According to FEMD, it āreceived a distress call at about 3:00 a.m.ā and quickly deployed its Search and Rescue Team to assess and manage the situation on the ground.
The statement noted that both apartments on the lower floor were flooded up to window level. Emergency responders also had to manually remove water after the generator powering the pumping system stopped working.
Although āno life was lost,ā residents suffered losses such as household items, food supplies, and important documents that were damaged by the floodwaters.
The agency further stated, āMeanwhile, the Acting Director-General of FEMD, Abdulrahman Mohammed, has appealed to residents living close to water channels to relocate as the rainy season intensifies.
āAbdulrahman also called for the clearing of blocked drains and the removal of structures built on water channels.ā
FEMD also stated that Abuja has continued to experience recurring flash floods in recent years, particularly during peak rainy periods.Ā
These incidents are often linked to blocked drainage channels, rapid urban development, and construction activities close to natural waterways.
The agency warned that such conditions are making low-lying communities increasingly exposed, reinforcing the need for preventive actions as seasonal rains continue.
FCT emergency agency warns residents near water channels to relocate over flood risk
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