Flooding: A National Disaster

Flood

Over 100 people have lost their lives and properties as a result of flood in several Nigerian states following the continuous  heavy downpour that caused the two major rivers in Nigeria (River & River Benue) to overflow, this was announced earlier this week  by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The  national emergency body, declared national disaster in the affected states of Kogi, Niger, Anambra and Delta. It might interest you to know that this is not the first time we're experiencing such in Nigeria, recalling  the 2012 Nigeria Flood which began in early July 2012; leaving over 2 million people displaced and about 363 people dead.

According to NEMA, eight other states are currently being monitored. Among these states are Taraba Adamawa, Kebbi, Edo, Rivers, Benue, Bayelsa and Kwara states.

Earlier, the Kano State Government had confirmed the death of 31 people and destruction of over 10,000 houses during the recent flood disaster in 15 Local Government Areas of the state.

Last Friday, the Presidency said Nigeria's President, Muhammadu Buhari had delegated authority to NEMA boss, Mustapha Maihaja, to declare a "national disaster".

The directive followed a warning by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency that Rivers Benue and Niger had almost reached levels that resulted in flooding in 2012.

The President later approved N3 billion for the first stages of preparedness, response disaster mitigation, the NEMA chief, Mustapha said.

Causes

Nigeria has a rainy season and suffers from seasonal flash floods. These flash foods are sometimes lethal, especially in the rural areas or overcrowded slums, where drainage is poor or does not exist at all.

Steps to prevent flooding 

• Put up more flood barriers
• Restore rivers to their natural courses
• Protect wetlands 
• Construct buildings above flood level 
• Introduce better flood warning systems
• Education against erecting of structures along water ways 
• Construction of good drainage and rehabilitation of old ones