Causes and solutions to Abuja flooding

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) had issued severe flood warnings, including for Abuja, a city situated just 340 meters above sea level. Floods can occur due to various natural causes such as flash flooding, river overflow, coastal flooding, or urban-induced flooding, which can be triggered by rainfall, river overflow, storms, melting snow, or terrain type.

While flooding is a natural phenomenon, human activities can exacerbate its effects. In the case of Abuja, the cause of recent flooding was primarily flash flooding due to saturated soil, unable to absorb additional water from recent rainfall. Contributing factors include blocked drainage systems, particularly gullies on roads whose manholes have been stolen or clogged with sand, preventing water flow.

Overpopulation has strained the city's drainage capacity, while the government's role in land allocations and conversions has been questioned. To address the issue, the Abuja Master Plan must be revised to create more water channels, the infrastructure, specifically the sewage system, needs redesign and consistent maintenance of gullies.

It is also necessary to remove properties standing on waterways and ensure proper infrastructure maintenance.