Torrential Rainfall Paralyzes Onitsha’s Ochanja Market as Floodwaters Wreak Havoc in Anambra [VIDEO]

 

A heavy downpour on Tuesday brought untold hardship to residents and business owners along Zik Avenue, Iweka Road, and the bustling Ochanja Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, as floodwaters swept through the area, leaving destruction in their wake. The deluge, attributed to blocked drainage systems, submerged roads, shops, and homes, halting economic activities and throwing the community into chaos.

The affected axis, a thriving commercial zone teeming with shops and small businesses, became a scene of panic as torrents of water surged through the streets. Traders and residents alike scrambled to salvage their belongings, with many unable to prevent the waters from overwhelming their shops and destroying their merchandise.

Eyewitness accounts reveal that the rain started early and intensified rapidly, catching many unprepared. Videos shared online and seen by reporters depict frantic efforts by locals to rescue goods from being swept away. In one widely circulated clip, a tricycle operator is seen clinging to his vehicle as it is nearly dragged away by the fierce current, highlighting the strength and swiftness of the flood.

Entire stretches of Zik Avenue were rendered impassable. The water covered the road and adjoining drainages to such an extent that distinguishing between them became impossible. Fear gripped residents, many of whom chose to remain indoors rather than risk being swept away. Those living close to the River Niger were especially wary, aware of the risks posed by the swelling riverbanks.

Uchenna, a resident who has lived in the area for over a decade, described the rainfall as unlike anything he had experienced before. “The volume and speed of the water were frightening,” he said. “We are too close to the River Niger. One wrong step and you could be carried away. People had to abandon their shops. Some goods are just gone.”

His concerns are not unfounded. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) had earlier issued a warning about heightened flood risks in several states, with Anambra among those listed. The latest incident appears to confirm those fears, raising alarms about what the rest of the rainy season might bring if adequate measures are not swiftly implemented.

According to another resident, Justine Ugoh, the flooding laid bare long-standing infrastructural failures in the area. “This isn’t just about heavy rainfall,” he noted. “We’ve dealt with this for years. People here clean their drains regularly, but the state’s drainage systems are outdated and insufficient. The water has nowhere to go.”

For hours on Tuesday and well into Wednesday, normal life in the community was put on hold. Market stalls remained closed. Homes became temporary shelters for stranded passersby, and the sound of people scooping water from their flooded homes echoed through the streets.

Despite the magnitude of the destruction, residents say emergency intervention has been slow. Calls to the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) have yet to result in any tangible support, leaving affected residents to rely on communal efforts for relief.

The repeated flooding events have ignited conversations around climate resilience, urban planning, and government responsiveness. Many are demanding a comprehensive flood management plan, including dredging of major waterways, redesigning the drainage network, and installing early warning systems for vulnerable communities.

“We cannot live like this,” said Chioma, a shop owner near Iweka Road who lost all her electronics merchandise to the flood. “Every year we hear promises, and every year we suffer the same fate. We need a permanent solution, not temporary palliatives.”

Several advocacy groups in Anambra are also weighing in, urging the state government to prioritize urban flood management as part of its infrastructural agenda. Experts say the convergence of poor waste management, inadequate drainage, and climate change are creating a perfect storm for recurring urban floods.

As the community begins the painful task of counting its losses, the echoes of warning from experts and affected citizens alike are growing louder. Without swift action, Tuesday’s disaster may only be a prelude to more devastating floods in the months ahead.

For now, hope rests on both the resilience of the people and the responsiveness of the state—two factors that will determine how well Anambra weathers what appears to be an increasingly severe flooding season.