Nigeria is again facing perennial flooding that ravages almost every parts of the country during raining season. Within the short period rain has begun, especially in various parts of the southern parts of the country, properties have been destroyed and lives made miserable due to this avoidable calamity.
Annually, Nigeria Meterological Agency (NiMeT) predicts the expected volume of rainfall for various parts of the country. The purpose of this forecast is for, various interested stakeholders, farmers, aviation industry, and others to prepare ahead.
This year, the agency had predicted in its Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) report in February that the country is expected to have rainfall amounts from 400mm in the north to over 3000mm in the south. It predicted a normal and above normal rainfall generally for the country.
On flood, the agency had predicted that, “On flash floods, the normal to near normal rainfall pattern in the country does not rule out the possibility of isolated flash floods due to increasing high intensity rainfall at the peak of the season, especially in areas that are naturally prone to flooding”.
NiMeT is Nigeria’s’ statutory agency that gives official report on climate issues for the benefits of various stakeholders. In spite the report of this agency, destructive flash floods have wreaked havoc in various parts of the country. From June 14, Nigeria has witnessed deadly flash floods that have claimed nothing less than three lives and recorded missing persons with hundred houses destroyed in Kwara and Akwa-Ibom states. In Kwara, a bridge embankment reportedly collapsed in Oko-Erin that claimed one life and some others missing.
In Akwa-Ibom, intense rains over the past few days destroyed 100 houses and displaced 300 people in Eket Local Government Area of the state.
Similarly, in Lagos State, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) reported that flooding in 2 locations in Ikorodu on 28 June resulted in significant property damage which affected over35 buildings. The flooding was caused by a heavy downpour but significantly worsened by blocked drainage channels as a result of deliberate dumping of refuse in drainage system.
IMPACT NEWS wondered why the perennial flooding in the country has not spurred attitudinal change in waste disposal among Nigerians who see open drainage as channels for waste disposal. Also, authorities saddled with town planning ought to thoroughly investigate building approvals to avoid construction on drainage lines.
Mitigating flooding in Nigeria which is already a familiar foe and inevitable guest is a collective responsibility of all, we call on all and sundry to take full responsibility of ensuring that the environment is safe from perennial flooding while the government must ensure that properties are not allowed to spring up on drainage lines.
Lots of lives will be saved if we all take responsibility as Nigerians.
