A downpour lasting more than nine hours has submerged several residential areas in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, leaving homes and roads flooded.

The rainfall, which began overnight and continued into Monday evening, affected communities including Achussa, New GRA, behind Radio Benue, Nyiman, Idye, Naka Road, North Bank, Ankpa Quarters, Tilley Gyado-Terwase Agbadu, Wurukum and Wadata.

Residents said floodwaters entered homes and damaged household items and foodstuff, while commuters were stranded as several roads became impassable.

Checks by our correspondent showed that buildings and business premises around ongoing construction sites and riverbanks were particularly affected.

Residents Blame Blocked Drainage Channels

A resident, Frank Tion, blamed the flooding partly on blocked drainage channels linked to ongoing road construction.

Tion appealed to Governor Hyacinth Alia to direct contractors to immediately open blocked drainage channels and restore the free flow of water.

He alleged that the indiscriminate closure of roads and drainage channels by construction companies had worsened the situation.

Another resident, Theresa Andyson, said the flooding could have been more severe without some of the large drainage channels already constructed by the government.

However, Andyson noted that multiple construction projects across the city may have contributed to flooding in areas where water channels were blocked to facilitate construction work.

SEMA Receives Flood Report

Meanwhile, the Information Officer of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Terna Ager, confirmed that the agency had received reports of flooding in Achussa.

Ager said the agency had not yet visited the affected area to conduct an assessment.

The extent of damage and whether there were casualties had not been established as of the time of filing this report.

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