‘Why flash flood is worsening in Abuja’

A town planning expert, Tpl Umar Shuaibu, has attributed the increasing incidents of flash flooding across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to a combination of changing weather patterns, encroachment on designated green areas, and violation of Abuja’s original master plan.

Abuja Metro had reported how residents of the territory found it difficult to navigate flooded roads and streets whenever it rained in the nation’s capital.

Speaking in an interview on the recent flooding incidents recorded in parts FCT, Umar, a former Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), said while weather conditions are largely unpredictable, proper urban planning and strict adherence to development regulations can significantly reduce the impact of flooding.

According to him, the current rainfall pattern is linked to the El Niño weather phenomenon, which this year is producing above-average rainfall in Nigeria.

“Weather phenomena are unpredictable because weather patterns vary from year to year. This year, the El Niño pattern is coming with higher rainfall amounts in this part of the world, whereas in some other regions, it is causing drought. That is what the forecast has shown,” he said.

He noted that although authorities cannot stop heavy rainfall, they can mitigate its impact through effective planning and environmental management.

“What is predictable is the way we plan. If we plan very well, we can avoid many of the adverse consequences of weather events. We cannot prevent flooding entirely, but we can minimise its effects on communities and the environment,” he said.

The expert warned that construction on flood-prone areas and designated buffer zones has increased residents’ vulnerability to flash floods.

“If an area has been declared flood-prone, people should avoid building there. Planning schemes take these environmental challenges into account. When such regulations are ignored, the consequences can be devastating, including loss of lives and destruction of property,” he said.

Umar also linked the worsening flooding to the gradual disappearance of green areas across Abuja, explaining that such areas were deliberately preserved in the city’s master plan to serve as ecological buffers and flood-control zones.

“Most of the green areas in Abuja are located in places that are naturally susceptible to flooding. Leaving them undeveloped helps preserve nature, mitigate climate change and reduce flood risks. Unfortunately, many of these areas are gradually being converted for construction,” he said.

He explained that urban development increases surface runoff because paved surfaces prevent rainwater from naturally seeping into the ground.

“When rain falls on natural vegetation, much of it infiltrates the soil. But when land is paved or built up, water can no longer seep into the ground and instead flows on the surface. This increases runoff volume and eventually leads to flooding,” Umar said.

The town planner cited recent erosion and flooding around the area near River Wupa as an example of the consequences of encroaching on environmentally sensitive zones.

According to him, Abuja’s original planners created a 100-year flood buffer around the river corridor to accommodate extreme rainfall events and prevent flooding from affecting nearby developments.

“When Abuja was planned, allowances were made for what we call a 100-year flood regime. This means sufficient buffer zones were created around streams such as River Wupa to contain floodwaters even during periods of exceptionally high rainfall,” he explained.

He, however, alleged that recent developments within the buffer zone had narrowed the river channel and compromised its ability to accommodate stormwater.

“Areas originally reserved for greening and flood control have been altered. The stream has been narrowed and we are already seeing the consequences. Following recent heavy rains, erosion created massive gullies that damaged nearby infrastructure and construction sites,” he said.

Umar warned that the situation could worsen as rainfall intensifies in the coming months.

“We are only in June. If we are already experiencing this level of flooding, we should be concerned about what may happen in July, August and September when rainfall typically peaks,” he said.

To address the growing challenge, the expert called for a return to Abuja’s original development plan and stricter enforcement of environmental regulations.

“The way forward is to revert to the original master plan. Abuja has sufficient land for expansion. There is no reason to intensify development in environmentally sensitive areas when there are vast alternative locations available for urban growth,” he said.

He stressed that preserving green areas, maintaining flood buffers and enforcing planning regulations would help safeguard lives, protect infrastructure and ensure sustainable development in the Federal Capital Territory.

“If we want peace with the environment and want to reduce the impact of extreme weather events, we must respect the original planning principles that guided the development of Abuja,” Umar added.

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