Flood takes over houses, bridge in Gwagwalada

Flood arising from a downpour on Saturday submerged more than 20 buildings in Gwagwalada Area Council of Abuja.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the rain that started from Friday night to the early hours of Saturday, also submerged Gwagwalada bridge and a hotel.

A NAN correspondent, who visited the flooded areas, observed that the flood had taken over Gwagwalada bridge linking Abuja to Lokoja.

Some motorists detoured while others parked for the water to subside.

Some residents were forced to either remain indoors or sail to safety.

Gwagwalada bridge flooded by rain on Saturday

Some of the residents said that flooding was a common occurrence in the community because of its proximity to a riverine area.

Mr Yunusa Dogo, with six children whose house collapsed, told NAN that he was asleep when water submerged his house.

“The level of destruction is devastating; it is quite unfortunate that the flood has affected many people in this community.

“I was asleep when water submerged my house. I had to quickly move my children to a neighbour’s house,” he said.

One of the residents of the area, Mrs Sarah Luka said: “As you can see no way for the water to flow down to the stream in the whole community.

“We have lost so many of our goods to the flood. I and my children couldn’t sleep all through the night because of the flood.”

Mr Sunday Kaka, a motorist, who parked his car before the flooded bridge, waiting for the water to subside, said he could not risk the danger of crossing the bridge.

Many of the residents and motorists blamed the government for failing to put in place measures to handle emergencies.