Victims of Friday’s heavy downpour which ravaged many parts of Gwagwalada Area Council in the FCT on Sunday called on the Federal Government to assist them.
A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited some of the affected areas reported that the rainstorm destroyed over a hundred houses, rendering residents homeless.
At Angwan Bassa area, many houses were completely submerged and one could barely see the rooftops of some taller buildings.
Vehicular movement on the ever-busy New Kutunku and Park Roads also hit an all-time gridlock due to the water which over-flooded the roads.
Commercial activities were also disrupted as the flood water entered most shops in the area, sweeping away goods and valuables said to be worth millions of Naira.
A cross-section of victims who spoke to NAN bemoaned their plight, saying that the flood had become an annual occurrence and appealed to government to come to their aid.
One of the victims, Hajia Shukarat Abdulrahaman of Abattoir area, said the flood destroyed her valuables as her belongings were swept away.
“The rainstorm and accompanying flood destroyed virtually all that I have laboured for over the years as almost everything in my house was either destroyed or swept away.
“As you can see, my entire compound is littered with evidence of the havoc caused by the flood; the bedrooms, sitting room and all the corners of the building were affected.
“Oh God, I am finished, what am I going to do now?’’, she lamented.
The victim appealed to relevant authorities to come to her aid, adding that she had yet to recover from the losses she suffered from last year’s similar disaster since received no help.
Another victim, Mrs Roseline Joshua, sat outside her desolate compound weeping when NAN reporter arrive the compound.
Amidst intermittent sobs, she explained that all the goods she bought from the market worth millions of Naira a few days back were washed away by the flood.
“As it is, I do not know where to start from. I returned from the market two days ago, now all the food items worth N7 million have been washed by the flood”, she said.
On his part, Mr Salisu Alibani, a resident of Angwan Azara area, told NAN that he saw a teenage boy in his neighbourhood swept away by the flood when he went out to watch the rampaging flood.
Mr Patrick Daaor, the Gwagwalada Divisional Police Officer, confirmed the development.
Daaor advised residents to leave flood prone areas to avoid further loss of lives and property as well as report cases of missing persons. (NAN)
