FCT emergency agency warns residents near waterways to relocate

 

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has advised residents living close to waterways and drainage channels to consider relocating as rainfall intensifies across the territory.

The Acting Director-General of FEMD, Abdulrahman Mohammed, made the appeal following a flooding incident that affected a residential building in Mabushi District, Abuja.

According to a statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, the incident occurred in the early hours of Friday after heavy overnight rainfall flooded a one-storey building located at 22 Anthony Ikem Street, behind Blue Cabana Hotel, Mabushi.

The agency said it received a distress call at about 3:00 a.m. and immediately deployed its Search and Rescue Team to the area.

FEMD disclosed that both flats on the ground floor of the building were submerged up to window level.

Emergency responders were also forced to manually evacuate water after the generator powering the pumping machine failed.

Although no life was lost, household items, food supplies and important documents belonging to residents were destroyed by the flood.

Mohammed urged residents to clear blocked drains and avoid building structures along waterways.

“Residents living close to water channels should relocate as the rainy season intensifies,” he said.

He also called for the removal of structures built on water channels to reduce flood risks.

Parts of Abuja have recorded recurring flash floods during peak rainy periods in recent years, largely linked to blocked drainage systems, rapid urban development and construction activities around natural waterways.

Authorities have repeatedly warned residents in vulnerable communities to take preventive measures as seasonal rainfall increases.