Some residents of Port Harcourt City and environs have expressed mixed feelings over the impact of the early rainfall on flooding and businesses in the city and environs.
Across section of residents who spoke in an interview with The Tide said that the early rainfall is good as it helps to reduce heat and dust but bad for farming and other businesses as well as increased the rate of water logging in the city and environs.
It would be recalled that the situation was especially bad at the Nkpolu Junction Rumuigbo in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area as shop owners hurriedly locked up shops to avoid being caught up in the rushing water occasioned by the heavy downpour of last Wednesday.
There was also gridlock at Market Junction along the Port Harcourt Express Road, business activities were also paralysed at Emenike Junction, Mile I and Mile III markets respectively as well as at the MTN of the Port Harcourt – Aba Road.
While some residents expressed happiness and excitement over the rainfall describing it as a good omen, others expressed concern over the heavy traffic caused by the flood.
Some of the residents told The Tide that, the rain has brought them happiness and excitement stressing that, it has helped to reduce the terrible heat and dust being experienced since the advent of the dry season.
Mrs Aki Eze, a trader at the Mile I Market said that she does not bother about the flood caused by the storm as long as she can sleep well at night.
“Although, I could not do business that day, but I like the rain because I can now sleep comfortably Mrs Eze who claimed to be residing in Diobu, said that in their residence they sleep outside because of the heat especially at night.
Also speaking with The Tide, Mr Boniface Agi who rides motorcycle along the Igbo Etche-Rumuok-wurusi road said that he welcomed the rains because it had reduced the dusty nature of the road.
“You know because of bad roads, everywhere, has been dusty since the beginning of the year.
“So the rain is welcomed” he said. However, Mr. Olalekan Ige a Port Harcourt-based journalist said that the level of flooding occasioned by the rainfall should be a wakeup call to both the authorities and people to think of ways of averting flooding this year in the city.
According to him, people must avoid dumping refuse into the drains while the authorities must ensure that refuse bins are placed everywhere.
According to him, 60 percent of flooding in Port Harcourt is caused by human activities, stressing that the sooner the people realised this, the better it will be for the city.
Also speaking, an environmentalist, Prince William Chinwo, stressed the need for more sensitisation against dumping of refuse in gutters and drainages.
According to him, drainages must be kept clean of debris while sanitation authorities must keep close watch on market places where most refuse are generated.
Chinwo also stressed the need for refuse collectors to be cautioned against the indiscriminate dumping of refuse, while all buildings on water right of ways be demolished to ensure the free flow of water.
Also speaking, Mrs. Hannah Obaraboye said that flooding occasioned by the downpour has underscored the need for the enforcement of the law against the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the state.
Mrs. Obaraboye blamed the flooding caused by the rain that day on the blockage of drainages, stressing that something must be done by the authorities to avert a disaster in the city this year.

Tamunoseipiriala Okulokika