Heavy rainfall on Monday evening caused serious flooding in several parts of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, leaving residents stranded, forcing floodwater into homes and disrupting business activities.
The rain, which lasted for several hours, resulted in the accumulation of water on roads and streets. In some areas, including Ogbogoro, floodwater entered residential buildings, shops and business premises, forcing residents to move their valuables and household items to safer places.
Some residents who spoke to our reporters expressed frustration over the situation and called on the government to take urgent steps to address the recurring flooding in the city.
One resident, Mrs. Blessing Eze, said, “The rain started heavily in the evening, and before we knew it, water had entered our compound and started coming into the house. We are appealing to the government to help us. This is becoming too frequent.”
Another resident, Mr. Chinedu Okoro, said the flooding had affected his business.
“I could not open my shop properly because the road was flooded. Customers could not come, and I also had to move some of my goods to prevent them from being damaged,” he said.
Business owners in affected areas said the continuous rainfall and flooding were causing financial losses. Traders who depend on daily sales said customers were unable to move freely because of flooded roads, while some businesses had to close temporarily.
A commuter, Mrs. Esther George, also complained about the condition of the roads.
“The flood made movement very difficult. People were afraid of entering the water because they did not know how deep it was or whether there were open drainage channels underneath,” she said.
Speaking on the causes and prevention of flooding, Mr. Samuel Nwankwo, an environmental health expert, advised residents to stop dumping refuse in drainage channels and waterways.
According to him, “Flooding is not caused by rainfall alone. Poor drainage, blocked waterways, indiscriminate dumping of refuse and unplanned development can make the effects of heavy rainfall worse. Residents must take responsibility by keeping their surroundings clean and ensuring that gutters are not blocked with waste.”
The expert further advised residents to avoid building structures on natural waterways and flood-prone areas. He also called on relevant government agencies to regularly clear drainage channels, improve drainage systems, enforce environmental regulations and provide proper waste-disposal facilities.
He urged residents to take precautionary measures whenever heavy rainfall is expected.
“People should avoid walking or driving through moving floodwater. They should also move important documents, electrical appliances and other valuables to higher places when there is a risk of flooding,” he advised.
The flooding has once again raised concerns about the need for better drainage infrastructure and effective environmental management in Port Harcourt.
Residents are therefore calling on the Rivers State Government and relevant authorities to urgently improve drainage systems, clear blocked waterways and provide lasting solutions to the recurring flooding. They also urged members of the public to stop littering and keep their environment clean.
