Nigeria is one of the countries that experience flooding every single year. Unfortunately, casualties are also recorded yearly in the floods. Heavy downpours, dam releases and river overflows are some of the causes of these flooding.
The Federal Government through the ministry of environment warned that 15 states are at risk of severe flooding due to heavy rainfall within the Month. According to a statement issued by Haruna Ibrahim, the head of media and publicity on Sunday 23rd of June in Abuja, he predicted that the 15 states would witness heavy rainfall which may lead to flooding, this season.
“The following locations and their environs are likely to witness heavy rainfall that MAY lead to flood within the period of prediction: 21st -25th June, 2024.
The states and locations include Adamawa State: Abba Kumbo, Demsa, Farkumo ,Ganye, Gbajili, Jimeta, Mubi, Natubi, Shelleng, Song, Wuro- Bokki, Mayo- Belwa;
Benue State : Agyo, Ugbokpo;
Borno State: Maiduguri;
Jigawa State: Hadejia;
Kaduna State : Kauru;
Kano State : Gezawa, Gwarzo, Kano, Karaye, Kunchi, Wudil;
Katsina State: Daura, Jibia;
Kebbi State : Argungun, Bagudo, Bunza,Gwandu,Ribah, Sakaba,Shanga,Yelwa and
Kogi State : Abejukolo, Omale, Zugbe.
Others are Nasarawa State: Gidan Dogo, Keana, Lafia, Loko, Rukubi, Tunga,Udeni;
Niger State :Magama;
Plateau State: Langtang ,Wase;
Sokoto State: Gagawa ,Goronyo, Isa, Shagari, Silame, Sokoto, Wamakko;
Taraba State : Bandawa, Donga, Kwata Kanawa, Lau, Ngaruwa, Yorro and
Zamfara State: Anka, Bukkuyum, Gummi.
“With meteorologists predicting above-average rainfall in several regions, authorities are urging residents and local governments to prepare for potential inundation.” He said.
How are floods predicted?
The predictions of NiMET and other meteorological agencies always come during the peak of the rainy season. According to U.S Geological Survey, Flood predictions require several types of data:
· The amount of rainfall occurring on a real-time basis.
· The rate of change in river stage on a real-time basis, which can help indicate the severity and immediacy of the threat.
· Knowledge about the type of storm producing the moisture, such as duration, intensity and areal extent, which can be valuable for determining possible severity of the flooding.
· Knowledge about the characteristics of a river’s drainage basin, such as soil-moisture conditions, ground temperature, snowpack, topography, vegetation cover, and impermeable land area, which can help to predict how extensive and damaging a flood might become.
Gathering such data helps them predict the expected rainfall and warn against flooding in high-risk areas. Do Agencies in Nigeria possess such data to warn beforehand the climatic nature of the environment? Are warnings only issued during the peak of the rainy season in Nigeria?
The efforts from government bodies do little effect to the high-risk areas as properties and lives are lost yearly die to flash floods and river floods.
Types of floods
There are two basic types of floods: flash floods and the more widespread river floods. Flash floods generally cause greater loss of life and river floods generally cause greater loss of property.
A flash flood occurs when runoff from excessive rainfall causes a rapid rise in the water height (stage) of a stream or normally dry channel. Flash floods are more common in areas with a dry climate and rocky terrain because lack of soil or vegetation allows torrential rains to flow overland rather than infiltrate into the ground.
River flooding is generally more common for larger rivers in areas with a wetter climate, when excessive runoff from longer-lasting rainstorms and sometimes from melting snow causes a slower water-level rise over a larger area. Most floods can be linked to a storm of some kind.
Flooding in Abuja
Abuja continues to be a victim of flooding as government and individual efforts are yet to materialise. The flooding incident that happened in Trademore estate in Lugbe, a Suburb in Abuja Municipal Area Council has become a yearly phenomenal in the area, and each year casualties are recorded. Speaking with Anas, a security in one of the estates in the area, he said:
“I started working here last year. Once rain falls heavily, there is flood. The roads become blocked and you cannot even enter the estate again. Some house fences went down and people’s properties got damaged including cars. One professor was trying to drive through the water last year, but he did not survive it. The water carried him inside his car away. We later saw his dead body after the water reduced. The water was so strong it removed trees and containers and carried it away. Some days after the water reduced, we saw the corpse of one man under one of the trees. Nobody knows him or how long he has been there. I saw it with my two eyes.”
Speaking about the flooding this year that occurred on Monday the 24th of June, he said:
“When the rain starts falling you will not know that the flood is going to start. You will think it is a small rain. One school bus that was carrying children to school that Monday almost ended up in the river because the driver couldn’t move inside the water. People had to come and help the students or God knows what would have happened to them.
“Last year one senator came to the estate to inspect the damage of the flood. She said she will do something about it. They brought bulldozers and started digging the river that passes through Trademore. But they left the sand there by the riverbanks. They didn’t come to pack it away. Once rain falls, the sand flows back into the river. Maybe that is why the digging didn’t work, and the flood was still serious this year.”
Residents of Trademore living close to the river were advised to relocate and move to other places but they did not. Speaking to a correspondent who lives in Trademore, she said:
“Last year they came and mark our houses, those FCDA people. They said we should pack that they will demolish our house because it is in waterway, but where do I pack to? I cannot afford another house. This building is my personal house. Even if I want to sell nobody wants to buy it. So where do I go?”
Asking about the alleged loss of lives this year, she said:
“Yes, I heard that two people died again this year. Even last year, one Professor died from the water. Since I started living here, any year the flood comes, somebody dies. Once the rain starts, I am scared for my life and for my children. But I have a property here, where do I go to. I just pack my things and go to a neighbour’s house till the water reduce.”
On Friday, Karu also experienced flash flooding as water overflowed the gutters and blocked the roads preventing road users from passing and affecting some properties.
Abuja is not the only state that experiences flooding. Other states like Kaduna, Kogi, Kano and Benue experience flooding. We have established that flooding is a yearly disaster that affects a number of states in Nigeria, what are the best steps to curb the harmful effects?
Climate changes are a major reason for this disaster in the country. Unfortunately, efforts to solve, prevent or alleviate the impact of climate change are yet to materialise in Nigeria. NEMA and NiMet are agencies responsible for alerting and preventing extreme effects of flooding in Nigeria. Their efforts need to be felt and seen by the people while the government should become proactive towards solving this problem.
Experts have argued that Nigeria is facing the effects of climate change which has led to serious flooding in some areas. According to Global Citizen, Nigeria is responsible for less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions — a minuscule proportion when you consider that the richest 10% of the world’s population are responsible for over half of carbon emissions. By 2030, it is estimated that up to 118 million extremely poor people — living on less than $1.90 a day — will be exposed to drought, floods, and extreme heat in Africa.
However, the Climate conferences being held with Nigerian delegates in attendance have not influenced Nigerian leaders to take action to curb this change and drastic effect on African countries.
Safety tips during flooding
Here are some tips to stay safe during flooding
· Never drive through floodwaters
· Never swim in flooded waters
· Wherever possible, wear a lifejacket when in, on or around floodwaters
· If conducting a rescue, avoid entering water yourself
· When swimming in natural waterways after floods be aware that conditions may have changed since you last swam there
· If a river level rises, go to safety as quickly as possible
Flooding continues to be a yearly disaster affecting lives and properties in Nigeria.
