Residents in Rumuokwachi, Ozuoba and neighbouring communities in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State woke up to severe flooding on Tuesday morning following a heavy downpour the previous day.
The flooding left parts of the Rumuokwachi/Ozuoba Link Road submerged, with residents lamenting the worsening situation and raising concerns about the safety of their homes and properties.
The flooding reportedly affected several other areas, including Pipeline, Gojehota Road and Ogbogoro community, leaving residents worried about the impact of the rising water.
A resident in the area told Kristinareports that the situation has become particularly concerning after linking the recent flooding to the ongoing construction of a bridge in Ozuoba.
According to the resident, a blocked major drainage channel along Ogbogoro Road has become a major factor contributing to the recent flooding.
The source alleged that the ongoing and incomplete bridge construction resulted in the blocking and casting of a critical stormwater gutter that normally serves as a major channel for floodwaters.
“They’ve not finished the bridge, and they’ve blocked some gutters, and this is the cause of the flooding we’re having here. In fact, there is a report that one gutter water is supposed to flow through was blocked along Ogbogoro Road.
It’s a major gutter that floods pass through. It was cast and blocked for whatever reason we don’t know,” the source said.
Although there were no immediate reports of deaths or physical injuries, residents are also concerned about the possible health consequences of the flooding.
Floodwater mixed with sewage and waste can contaminate the environment and increase the risk of waterborne diseases, including cholera, diarrhoea and typhoid.
The disruption of the drainage network has therefore triggered renewed calls from residents for urgent intervention.
They are appealing to the construction firm and relevant authorities to inspect the affected drainage channel, clear any obstruction and restore the flow of stormwater to reduce the risk of further flooding and property damage.
For residents of Rumuokwachi, Ozuoba and surrounding communities, the immediate concern is not only the water already covering parts of their neighbourhoods but also what could happen if another heavy downpour arrives before the drainage problem is addressed.
