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A torrential rainfall that lasted for more than four hours on Thursday brought widespread devastation across Port Harcourt, leaving hundreds of residents stranded, homes submerged and major roads overtaken by floodwaters.
The prolonged downpour turned several parts of the Rivers State capital into rivers, forcing families to flee their homes as floodwaters surged into living rooms, shops and business premises.
Among the worst-hit communities were Woji, NTA Road, Choba, Ogbogoro, Eneka, Mile 3, Rumukwachi and Ozoba, where residents battled rising water levels in desperate attempts to salvage their belongings.
In many neighbourhoods, vehicles broke down after being trapped in flooded streets, while commercial activities came to a halt as commuters and traders struggled to navigate the submerged roads.
Heartbreaking scenes played out across the city as residents waded through waist-deep water carrying children, household items and foodstuffs to safer locations. Others watched helplessly as floodwaters swept through their homes, destroying furniture, electronics and other valuables.
Several affected residents blamed the recurring flooding on blocked drainage channels, poor urban planning and the failure of existing stormwater infrastructure to cope with heavy rainfall.
Motorists abandoned vehicles on flooded roads, while pedestrians were left stranded for hours as many streets became impassable.
Residents expressed frustration that despite repeated experiences of severe flooding during the rainy season, lasting solutions have remained elusive, leaving many communities vulnerable whenever heavy rain falls.
The latest incident has renewed calls on the Rivers State Government and relevant environmental agencies to intensify the clearing of drainage systems, enforce proper waste disposal and accelerate investments in effective flood-control infrastructure.
As floodwaters gradually receded in some areas later in the day, many displaced families returned to assess the extent of the damage, with losses running into millions of naira.
No official casualty figures had been released as of the time of filing this report, but residents appealed for urgent government intervention and relief for families whose homes and livelihoods were affected by the flooding.
