Fresh fears of flooding are mounting across the Federal Capital Territory after the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NiHSA, placed Abuja on high flood alert following rise in water levels on the Gurara River.
In its latest flood advisory, NiHSA placed the FCT among 27 states facing high riverine flood risk after the Izom hydrological gauge on the Gurara River exceeded the warning threshold, signalling increased flood risk in vulnerable areas. The advisory, issued on July 30, remains valid until August 5.
NiHSA said rising river levels could affect communities, roads, schools, markets, health facilities, places of worship and farmlands if water levels continue to rise.
It advised residents living on flood plains to relocate to higher ground where necessary and warned against attempting to cross flooded roads, bridges or fast-flowing water on foot or by vehicle.
The alert comes less than a week after the FCT Emergency Management Department, FEMD, stepped up flood preparedness across the territory, warning that communities in flood-prone areas remained at high risk as the rainy season enters its peak.
For residents of Trademore Estate, the latest alert is a reminder that despite years of interventions, the community remains vulnerable whenever prolonged rainfall is forecast.
The estate has witnessed repeated flooding over the years, with homes submerged, vehicles trapped and residents displaced after heavy downpours overwhelmed drainage channels and natural waterways.
In response to previous incidents, the FCT Administration demolished several structures built along water channels in parts of the estate to improve the free flow of storm water and reduce the risk of flooding.
A resident of the estate, Seun Adedimeji, said the exercise had brought some level of relief but noted that many residents were still uncertain whether it would be enough to withstand another prolonged period of rainfall.
Another resident, Mrs Stella, commended the government for issuing an early warning, saying it would enable residents to take precautionary measures before the rains intensify.
While Trademore residents are worried about what the coming days may bring, residents of Galadimawa say early intervention by the FCT Administration has helped prevent a repeat of previous flood tragedies.
The slip road linking the Goodluck Jonathan Expressway with Ring Road II at Galadimawa had for years become a death trap during heavy rains after floodwaters repeatedly overwhelmed the corridor.
One of the worst incidents occurred in 2019 when floodwaters claimed the life of the then Director of Finance of the FCT High Court, Mr Tony Okecheme, after his vehicle was swept away at the interchange.
Following the recurring incidents, the FCT Emergency Management Department, FEMD, has adopted the seasonal closure of the slip road as a preventive measure.
Again this year, the department barricaded the road in early July following NiHSA’s prediction that peak flooding would occur between July and September.
Speaking during the exercise, the Director of FEMD, Mr Baba Gambo, represented by the Head of Forecasting, Mitigation and Response, Dr Mark Nyam, said the closure became necessary to forestall loss of lives and property.
A resident of the area, Matthew Oloku, said the early closure had significantly reduced the danger.
At a stakeholders’ engagement on the 2026 National Disaster Preparedness and Response Campaign, the Head of Forecasting, Response and Mitigation at FEMD, Dr Mark Nyam, warned that weather forecasts indicated that communities in flood-prone areas remained at high risk and appealed to stakeholders to strengthen measures aimed at preventing loss of lives and property.
The Head of NEMA Abuja Operations Office, Mr Zakari Abubakar, said the agency had rolled out measures focusing on prevention, preparedness, emergency response and post-disaster recovery, urging that flood awareness campaigns be extended to grassroots communities, particularly those along riverbanks.
Also speaking, the Director of Development Control, Tpl Bashir Madaki, stressed the need for strict enforcement against developments on waterways as part of efforts to reduce flooding across the FCT.
Across parts of the territory, flood mitigation works are also ongoing. Drainage clearing and desilting were observed along the Bwari Market Roundabout through the SCC Road corridor as authorities stepped up efforts to improve the flow of storm water ahead of the peak rains.
FEMD urged residents to remain alert throughout the duration of the NiHSA advisory and to report emergencies through the 112 toll-free emergency number.
