12-Hour Downpour Floods Makurdi Communities as Agencies Renew Flood Warnings

Several communities in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, have been flooded after a downpour that lasted about 12 hours from Sunday night into Monday.

The rainfall left houses and streets submerged in Achusa, Rice Mill in Wadata, Idye and Naka Road, with residential buildings and eateries around construction sites and riverbanks badly affected.

The flooding was reportedly worsened by ongoing road construction and uncompleted drainage channels, some of which overflowed into adjoining communities.

A resident of Achusa, identified as Debby, said several houses were affected by the rainfall.

“You know that the rain started on Sunday and continued today (Monday).

"Though it was not that heavy, it has flooded our community and affected some residential houses,” she said.

Debby commended Gov. Hyacinth Alia for addressing perennial flooding through road and drainage projects but called for some blocked channels to be reopened.

“My observation is that the indiscriminate closure of roads and streets, as well as the blockage of drainage channels, contributed to the flooding we experienced today,” she said.

The Information Officer of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Tema Ager, confirmed that the agency received a report of flooding in Achusa but had yet to assess the area.

“Yes, we received a report of flooding in Achusa, but we have yet to go there for an assessment,” Ager said.

The flooding occurred as government agencies continued to warn Nigerians about rising flood risks.

The National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre has warned of possible flooding in 24 states and the Federal Capital Territory from 27th September to 10th October.

Makurdi is among the major cities covered by the advisory.

Earlier, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency warned of high riverine flood risks in 15 states, including Benue, between the 19th and 25th of September, urging residents in vulnerable areas to move to higher ground.

The National Emergency Management Agency has also urged Benue authorities to strengthen early-warning systems, evacuation plans and emergency response, describing the state as highly vulnerable to flooding.

NiMet has separately maintained flash-flood monitoring, including a risk map covering the 21st to 30th of September.