Nigerians cannot forget the 2012 floods. According to official figures, 360 people lost their lives with more than two million rendered homeless. Some displaced people are still in camps in Delta, Kogi, and Lagos States.
The flooding began in July, at the peak of the rainy season, when the nation usually recorded the first of its double rainfall maxima, and lasted till December, when the dry season should be underway.
The worst hit states included Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Kogi, Kwara, Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Ogun and Niger, and when the nation started counting losses, assets worth N300 billion had been lost. It was the most wide spread flooding in the country, and the worse in more than 80 years.
Yearly, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, makes public its weather predictions. It did so on February 15, noting excessive rains in Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger and Kwara States. “Predicted rainfall for the North West areas of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara and environs is likely to be above normal in comparison to 2012,” NIMET said.
Rainfall however is not the only source or cause of flooding. The state of the dams is another major source of flooding. At least 39 people died from flooding of the Lamingo Dam near Jos. It swept across a number of neighbourhoods, and about 200 homes were submerged.
Dams sometimes accumulate water beyond their capacity, to avoid such dams from bursting; the water they hold is measuredly released. This can cause flooding as has been witnessed in Jigawa, Ogun and Lagos States. Early March, the Federal Government ordered immediate evacuation of people living on the River Niger to avert another flood disaster.
The evacuation is necessary because the Jebba and Kainji dams had attained their highest water levels in 29 years.
All tiers of government should sensitise Nigerians to the dangers ahead. The people should also heed flood warnings. In our towns and cities, some people empty their garbage into drains, or the municipal authorities fail to collect refuse promptly. These practices could block drains and enhance flooding.
Besides, as towns and cities offer more opportunities, the rural-urban drift is on the increase. The demand for more land for housing has led to indiscriminate constructions, mostly illegal, near water bodies.
In many instances, entire flood plains have been filled and converted to housing estates. Water thus displaced during the dry season will return as flood during the wet season.
Ministries of Environment in all the States have to be more alive to their responsibilities. Many of the affected areas are yet to recover from last year’s flood. These warnings should be heeded urgently as the rains are already here.
The flooding began in July, at the peak of the rainy season, when the nation usually recorded the first of its double rainfall maxima, and lasted till December, when the dry season should be underway.
The worst hit states included Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Kogi, Kwara, Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Ogun and Niger, and when the nation started counting losses, assets worth N300 billion had been lost. It was the most wide spread flooding in the country, and the worse in more than 80 years.
Yearly, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, makes public its weather predictions. It did so on February 15, noting excessive rains in Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger and Kwara States. “Predicted rainfall for the North West areas of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara and environs is likely to be above normal in comparison to 2012,” NIMET said.
Rainfall however is not the only source or cause of flooding. The state of the dams is another major source of flooding. At least 39 people died from flooding of the Lamingo Dam near Jos. It swept across a number of neighbourhoods, and about 200 homes were submerged.
Dams sometimes accumulate water beyond their capacity, to avoid such dams from bursting; the water they hold is measuredly released. This can cause flooding as has been witnessed in Jigawa, Ogun and Lagos States. Early March, the Federal Government ordered immediate evacuation of people living on the River Niger to avert another flood disaster.
The evacuation is necessary because the Jebba and Kainji dams had attained their highest water levels in 29 years.
All tiers of government should sensitise Nigerians to the dangers ahead. The people should also heed flood warnings. In our towns and cities, some people empty their garbage into drains, or the municipal authorities fail to collect refuse promptly. These practices could block drains and enhance flooding.
Besides, as towns and cities offer more opportunities, the rural-urban drift is on the increase. The demand for more land for housing has led to indiscriminate constructions, mostly illegal, near water bodies.
In many instances, entire flood plains have been filled and converted to housing estates. Water thus displaced during the dry season will return as flood during the wet season.
Ministries of Environment in all the States have to be more alive to their responsibilities. Many of the affected areas are yet to recover from last year’s flood. These warnings should be heeded urgently as the rains are already here.
