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Flood submerges vehicles, roads in Port Harcourt
Austin Okoro DDM NEWS
Flood
Floods have been wreaking havoc in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, with severe consequences for residents and infrastructures.
Heavy rainfall has caused flooding in various parts of Port Harcourt, including Bonny, where residents have been displaced and businesses affected.
The floodwaters have submerged buildings and vehicles, leaving residents to cry out for help.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a flood alert for 2025, warning of severe flooding in Rivers State and other coastal areas.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Rivers State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) are working together to prepare for the floods, including prepositioning relief materials and conducting joint flood risk assessments.
Poor urban planning, inadequate drainage systems, and environmental degradation are likely contributing to the flooding in Port Harcourt.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has identified Rivers State as a high-risk zone due to its location in the Niger Delta, where tidal surges and river overflows often converge.
The Rivers State Government has issued an urgent advisory to residents, urging them to take immediate precautions to protect lives and property.
The government has also cracked down on illegal land reclamation, which is believed to exacerbate flooding in the area.
Some communities in Port Harcourt, such as Nkpolu Oroworukwo, have taken proactive steps to avert flooding by encouraging residents to clear their drains and educating them on the dangers of dumping refuse on drainage channels.
The flood alert issued by NiMet affects at least 21 states, including High-Risk States, like Sokoto, Lagos, Benue, Edo, and Rivers, are among the states expected to experience severe flooding
Approximately 1.2 million people were affected by floods in 31 states in Nigeria between July 2024 and June 2025, with 180,000 hectares of cultivated farmland destroyed.
Despite a N620 billion ecological fund allocated to states, concerns remain about the effectiveness of these interventions in mitigating flood risks.
The flooding in Port Harcourt highlights the need for sustained efforts to address the root causes of flooding, including poor urban planning and environmental degradation.
As the rainy season intensifies, residents and governments must work together to mitigate the impact of floods and protect lives and property.
According to a report , the situation began unfolding earlier today when Jahmal, a local known on X as @Big_Sinudo, posted at 07:44 AM WAT about the unrelenting rain, simply stating, “It is still raining. Omoh.” His post quickly gained traction as the downpour worsened.
In a reply at 08:33 AM WAT, Emmy (@GQ_Emmy) shared a harrowing update, writing, “Bro, no be small thing…flood everywhere oooo….my motor swim water @ rumuigbo. Na mechanic I dey so🤦♂️🤦♂️.” The post revealed how his car was overtaken by floodwaters in the Rumuigbo area, forcing him to seek a mechanic’s assistance. Jahmal responded with a brief “Oh sorry,” but the exchange highlighted the escalating crisis.
Experts point to a mix of climate change and poor urban planning as the culprits.
A 2021 study in the Journal of Flood Risk Management noted that Port Harcourt faces annual flooding due to heavy rains from March to October, worsened by inadequate drainage and rapid urbanization.
Recent 2025 reports from CARE International suggest this year’s rainy season is exceptionally intense, reflecting shifting global weather patterns.
The economic impact is already apparent, with vehicle repairs presenting a major challenge.
State Farm advises draining fluids and replacing electrical components in flood-damaged cars, a costly endeavor that could burden residents like Emmy.
As of now, local authorities have not issued a statement, but the incident underscores the pressing need for enhanced infrastructure and flood mitigation in Nigeria’s southern cities, where relentless rains continue to disrupt daily life.
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