Onitsha, Anambra State — A prolonged downpour on Monday triggered devastating floods around Zik’s Avenue and Iweka Road, near the bustling Ochanja Market in Onitsha, leaving a trail of destruction and disrupting commercial activity in one of the city’s busiest business districts.
The flooding, worsened by clogged drainage channels, submerged the entire stretch of Zik’s Avenue, forcing traders to abandon their shops and watch helplessly as rainwater swept through stalls and stores. Social media videos showed scenes of chaos, including a tricycle operator fighting to save his vehicle from being swept away by the current.
When visited by our correspondent on Tuesday, affected residents and traders were seen scooping water out of their homes and shops, still reeling from the aftermath.
“The rain was devastating. We’ve not seen anything like this before,” said Uchenna, a resident of the area. “This place is close to the River Niger, so once the drainages are blocked and rain persists, it can turn deadly.”
He expressed deep concern about the Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s (NIMET) warning of impending floods in the region, warning that “the worst may not have come yet” and calling on the state government to act urgently to avert disaster.
Businesses in Ruins, Lives at Risk
The flood caught many traders off guard during business hours, damaging goods worth millions of naira and bringing commercial activity to a halt. Several shop owners said they could not differentiate between the road and the drainage, as water levels rose rapidly.
“The whole area was flooded. It entered homes and shops, and nothing moved for hours,” said Justine Ugoh, a landlord in the area. “Blocked drainages are a major cause. We’ve been cleaning ours, but that’s not enough. There needs to be a city-wide drainage overhaul.”
Ugoh added that the flood has left residents living in constant fear. “People stay indoors during rainstorms to avoid being swept away. We’ve lost lives here in the past. Thankfully, no lives were reported lost this time.”
Call for Government Action
While the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has reportedly been notified, no official response or relief materials had arrived as of Tuesday. Residents and business owners are now urging the state government to prioritize long-term solutions to the perennial flooding in Onitsha.
“This incident underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive drainage rehabilitation program,” Ugoh emphasized. “Floods should be properly channelled, and early warning systems must be improved.”
Experts and community leaders fear that without immediate and sustained government intervention, flooding could pose an even greater threat in the coming months, particularly as rainfall intensifies across the region.
As the rainy season peaks, Onitsha’s vulnerable neighbourhoods remain on edge, bracing for what may come next.