More than 15 roof tops of houses were damaged by heavy rains that fell on Monday evening in some parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rains, which started at about 8 p.m., caused flooding in some areas while the storm that accompanied it damaged some buildings.
Mr Bolaji Okewale, a resident of Aleita on Airport road, said the heavy wind removed the roofs of his house and destroyed property worth N250,000.
“It was scary; the wind was so heavy and before we could take any precaution, it had removed the roofs; we thank God that nobody was injured,’’ he said.
Mrs Ngozi Okeke, also a resident  of Aleita, said that parts of her two bed-room apartment was equally damaged by the wind.
“The wind removed some of the roofs in my apartment and destroyed the windscreen of my car parked in front of my house.
“Now, I have to source for funds to fix new roofs and to replace the windscreen of my car. ’’
She said that the Redeemed Christian Church of God (Emmanuel parish) in the area, and five electric poles were also damaged by the heavy wind.
Mr Tola Mohammed, a resident of Federal Housing Estate, Lugbe, said that the rains caused flooding in his house.
“The rain caused flooding in my house and my family had to stay awake to control the water till the early hours of this morning.
‘’It even pulled down the fence of my neighbour’s house,’’ he said.
Mr Joe Ukairo, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Head of Media and Outreach Programmes, said that the board would sensitise Abuja residents to ways to avert natural disasters.
He said that AEPB was working in collaboration with FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to manage disasters in case they occurred within the territory.
“We have commenced flooding mitigation campaigns to sensitise residents in the six area councils in the FCTÂ to prevention of flooding and environmental protection.
“We are also working with FERMA to adequately manage disasters in case they occur,’’ Ukairo said.
He advised Abuja residents to take precautionary measures to prevent flood disasters by not dumping refuse inside drains and water ways.
“Attitudinal change is what we preach; if people take good care of the environment and obey environmental regulations, most of these disasters would be averted. ’’
NAN reports that the Nigerian Metrological Agency on Monday issued a weather alert which stated that thunderstorm cells were observed over Kaduna and western axis of Cameroon.
The alert said that the cells over Kaduna were likely to affect Abuja and Minna, and would be accompanied by strong winds and moderate rains.
