Members of New Covenant Anglican Church, Ogale Parish, in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State were compelled to conduct their Sunday service in the open after floodwaters overwhelmed their church building, making the auditorium unusable.
The flooding, reportedly triggered by days of persistent rainfall, submerged the church premises and prevented worshippers from accessing the sanctuary.
Despite the difficult conditions, the congregation gathered outside the church compound to hold their weekly service.
Church members described the incident as a major setback to their worship activities and appealed to the Rivers State Government, emergency management agencies and public-spirited individuals for urgent assistance.
They called for immediate intervention to drain the flooded premises, rehabilitate the church and prevent future occurrences.
The congregation also urged authorities to improve drainage infrastructure in the area, warning that recurring floods continue to threaten lives, property and public facilities.
The incident comes amid renewed concerns over the impact of the rainy season following recent forecasts by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which identified Rivers State among areas at risk of heavy rainfall and flooding.
Residents have since called on relevant authorities to implement lasting flood-control measures to reduce the destructive effects of seasonal downpours and protect vulnerable communities.
