Devastating impact of floodings in Nigeria.

Nigeria, like most countries in Africa and across the globe, is going through the devastating effects of flood. A combination of heavy rains and the impact of climate change that is receiving lip service, makes flood control and management a perennial challenge.

However, with each passing year, the impact of the flooding keeps getting worse. And what’s more worrisome is the inadequate attention being paid to it. As of September, the raging floods had claimed many lives and properties despite warnings.

In Nigeria, heavy rains combined with dam releases has caused further flooding, affecting communities in at least 18 states since the start of September.

The release of water from Kiri and Lagdo dams in Cameroon has resulted in flooding in communities along the river banks of around 12 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Taraba and Adamawa States. In all of these places locals have been displaced; and farmland and houses submerged.

The same is the case with the release of dam waters from the Kainji and Shiroro dams in Nigeria's Niger state.

Assessments carried out on 19 September 2022 revealed 3,274 people were affected while about 1,213 houses were destroyed. Farmlands are also known to be submerged while their sources of livelihood were also destroyed. This is now certainly a common sight across many states in Nigeria.

The floods continue to ravage with no end in sight. Kogi State and especially its riverine areas are hard hit, and residents whose major source of livelihood is rice farming continue to lament their losses as over 600 hectares of rice farmland are submerged in water.

Exactly ten years (2012) after a massive flood submerged several communities in Kogi State, the waters have returned to wreak more havoc. The flood has sacked people from their houses and destroyed invaluable properties including crops and farmlands.

https://www.climatechangewriters.com/images/Floodings_Across_Kogi_State.mp4

The most affected communities are in Lokoja, Bassa, Koton-karfe, Ajaokuta, Ibaji, Ofu and Idah Local Government Areas. Where victims of the flood count their losses.

Without doubts, there should be a permanent solution sought at least to the levels at which humans and governments can.

From the assessment conducted, the following could readily be options to explore.

• Flooding can be prevented by building canals and more dams across the Niger or Benue; and other major rivers.

• Dredging of river beds to allow for greater depth across the river course.

• Levees and dykes should be built around rivers to obstruct the flow of river water into lowlands.

• More trees should be planted in flood prone areas to serve as natural barriers.

• Governments can also explore measures at harvesting rainwater for other uses.

• Legislation and enforcement of laws that make disposal of refuse and dirt indiscriminately an infringement of law that attracts fines or jail terms.

Exploring the above could be to a large extent readily implementable measures to stem the tide of frequent floodings. However, governments must recognise the greater threat of climate change and must rise up to the occasion by ratifying and implementing agreements, policies and local strategies that would to more concrete extents save our cities, states and nation; and maybe mother earth.

Nigeria, like most countries in Africa and across the globe, is going through the devastating effects of flood. A combination of heavy rains and the impact of climate change that is receiving lip service, makes flood control and management a perennial challenge. However, with each passing year, the impact of the flooding keeps getting worse. And what’s more worrisome is the inadequate attention being paid to it. As of September, the raging floods had claimed many lives and properties despite warnings. In Nigeria, heavy rains combined with dam releases has caused further flooding, affecting communities in at least 18 states since the start of September. The release of water from Kiri and Lagdo dams in Cameroon has resulted in flooding in communities along the river banks of around 12 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Taraba and Adamawa States. In all of these places locals have been displaced; and farmland and houses submerged. The same is the case with the release of dam waters from the Kainji and Shiroro dams in Nigeria's Niger state. Assessments carried out on 19 September 2022 revealed 3,274 people were affected while about 1,213 houses were destroyed. Farmlands are also known to be submerged while their sources of livelihood were also destroyed. This is now certainly a common sight across many states in Nigeria. The floods continue to ravage with no end in sight. Kogi State and especially its riverine areas are hard hit, and residents whose major source of livelihood is rice farming continue to lament their losses as over 600 hectares of rice farmland are submerged in water. Exactly ten years (2012) after a massive flood submerged several communities in Kogi State, the waters have returned to wreak more havoc. The flood has sacked people from their houses and destroyed invaluable properties including crops and farmlands. The most affected communities are in Lokoja, Bassa, Koton-karfe, Ajaokuta, Ibaji, Ofu and Idah Local Government Areas. Where victims of the flood count their losses. Without doubts, there should be a permanent solution sought at least to the levels at which humans and governments can. From the assessment conducted, the following could readily be options to explore. Flooding can be prevented by building canals and more dams across the Niger or Benue; and other major rivers. Dredging of river beds to allow for greater depth across the river course. Levees and dykes should be built around rivers to obstruct the flow of river water into lowlands. More trees should be planted in flood prone areas to serve as natural barriers. Governments can also explore measures at harvesting rainwater for other uses. Legislation and enforcement of laws that make disposal of refuse and dirt indiscriminately an infringement of law that attracts fines or jail terms. Exploring the above could be to a large extent readily implementable measures to stem the tide of frequent floodings. However, governments must recognise the greater threat of climate change and must rise up to the occasion by ratifying and implementing agreements, policies and local strategies that would to more concrete extents save our cities, states and nation; and maybe mother earth.