Residents of Qauia Village in Lami experienced a significant disruption yesterday as rising floodwaters submerged the village’s main bridge, which serves as the only access route in and out of the community. Despite the water level being manageable around midday, continuous heavy rains led to the crossing becoming impassable by approximately 3 PM.
Mere Sariki, a 61-year-old visitor to the village, noted the quick rise of water levels in the afternoon. “At 12 PM, the water was still under the bridge, but by around 3 PM it had already covered it,” Ms. Sariki commented. She expressed concerns that if the rain persisted overnight, the village would likely face flooding, particularly affecting homes near the riverbank.
Laisa Jeke, a longtime resident of Qauia for the past decade, echoed similar sentiments. She highlighted that the current flooding reflected a recurring pattern, reminiscent of an incident that occurred last month. “This has been happening every time there is heavy rain. Last month the water entered about 20 homes, and now we are seeing the same situation again,” Ms. Jeke recounted. During the previous floods, water reached the middle of the village, prompting residents to vigilantly monitor water levels during rainstorms, knowing the bridge is typically the first area to be impacted.
In addition to the flooding in Qauia, surface flooding was reported in parts of Lami Town and neighboring areas yesterday. The inundation affected sections of the main road, resulting in slowed traffic and increased challenges for commuters.
While the situation is concerning for residents of Qauia and surrounding areas, the community’s awareness and preparedness may help mitigate the impact of flooding in the future, as many have become accustomed to monitoring water levels closely during heavy rains.
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