Introduction:
Flooding, a recurrent decimal in Nigeria, worsens as 27 out of the 36 states have been affected since February, with over 500 reported dead, and millions displaced.^[1] There is hardly any daily that goes a day or two without accommodating a major headline on the ravaging effects of the flooding situation in Nigeria. Communities are ravaged, farms are washed away, properties are destroyed, roads are covered and damaged, and motorists are taking longer routes to get to their destinations, while others are trapped.

Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment Iselema Gbaranbiri stated that around 300 communities and villages in the state have been totally or partially submerged, with as many as 700,000 people either affected or displaced.^[2] The governor of the state also confirmed this report, adding that the people are now living as internally displaced persons; including former President Goodluck Jonathan.^[3] As scary as these reports sound, the government of Nigeria continues to warn states and local government areas to prepare for further flooding that could last until the end of November. It is reported that the country is facing its worst flooding in a decade with the National Emergency Authorities describing the situation as “beyond control”.^[4]

A man by the name, Jay Binang took to his social media page with the post:

Causes of the Flood:
While some attribute the flooding to Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, purportedly opened by the authorities, others attribute it to water flowing from tributaries into River Benue due to unprecedented heavy downpours. The Nigerian Presidency is of the opinion that Lagdo Dam (though contributes to it) is not the main cause.^[4] National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) of Nigeria on 19^th September 2022 reported that “The Lagdo Dam operators in the Republic of Cameroon have commenced the release of excess water from the reservoir by 13th September 2022. We are aware that the released water cascades down to Nigeria through River Benue and its tributaries thereby inundating communities that have already been inundated by heavy precipitation.”^[6] While there may be several speculations, the flooding in Nigeria is more anthropogenic than otherwise as it is characterized by negligence and the inundation of land and property in the built environment, particularly in densely populated areas and floodplains. This is exacerbated by existing paved streets and roads, which increase the speed of flowing water, impervious surfaces which prevent rainfall from infiltrating into the ground, thereby causing a higher surface run-off that may be in excess of local drainage capacity, and ultimately the unprecedented rainfall which is increasingly overwhelming the capacity of a lot of drainage systems.

Nigerian Urban Flooding
Nigerian urban flooding is a condition characterized by its repetitive and systematic impacts, regardless of whether (or not) affected communities are located within designated floodplains or near any body of water. It is most likely caused by human land-use changes in these Nigerian cities and communities. Or at least, these changes increased the intensity and frequency. Such land-use changes include deforestation and removal of wetlands and changes in waterway courses, among others. Another major cause is climate change and the resultant rise in sea level. And we may not be quick to excuse Nigeria from undergoing the effect of climate through this incessant flooding. Climate change’s increased rainfall and extreme weather vents increase the severity of other causes of flooding, resulting in more intense floods and increased flood risk.

Effects on Nigerians:
Flooding can be a huge destructive power. It has the ability to demolish all kinds of buildings and objects, such as bridges, structures, houses, trees, cars, etc., therefore, constituting a hazard to both the population and infrastructure. The effects of flooding, such as we are experiencing in Nigeria at the moment include:

1. Death, as many have been reported drowned by the deep water and strong currents.
2. Damage to buildings and other structures (sewage systems, roadways, canals, etc.)
3. Damage to power transmission and some power generation plants.
4. Loss of drinking water and severe water contamination.
5. Loss of sewage disposal facilities.
6. Damage to businesses and loss of goods.
7. Increased spread of waterborne diseases and vector-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitos.
8. Damage to roads and transport infrastructure makes it difficult to mobilize aid to those affected or to provide emergency health treatment.
9. Inundation of farmland, making the land unworkable and preventing crops from being planted or harvested, leading to food shortage.

Other perceived effects of the flooding are:
10. Trees may also not survive prolonged flooding of their root systems.
11. Injuries to those affected by the flood and also the rescue team, may lead to further incidences of death.
12. Chronically wet houses may lead to the growth of indoor mould and result in adverse health effects, particularly respiratory symptoms (coughing, sneezing, stuffy or running nose, sore throat, headaches, muscle aches, high temperature, breathlessness, tight chest or wheezing).
13. There may be further deaths through dehydration, heat stroke, heart attack, etc.
14. Long-term treatment of depression
15. Economic hardship due to a temporary decline in tourism.
16. Rebuilding costs.
17. Food shortages leading to price increases.
18. Lowered property values.
19. Small businesses may never reopen their doors following a flood disaster.
20. Long-term displacement of residents.

A few perceived positive effects of the flooding amidst the overwhelmingly negative effects are:
1. Recharging groundwater.
2. Making soil more fertile and increasing nutrients in some soils.
3. Providing the much-needed water resources in arid and semiarid regions where precipitation can be very unevenly distributed throughout the year.
4. Spreading nutrients to lakes and rivers, leading to increased biomass and improved fisheries for a few years.

Conclusion:
Although flooding is considered a natural disaster, human interventions have become pivotal in this risk management. Yet poverty and corruption work against efforts geared towards helping Nigerian citizens out. The Nigerian Presidency, on 20th October 2022, challenged states to give an account of how they spent amounts in excess of one trillion Naira (representing 2.2 per cent of the total budget for 2018, 2019 and 2023), allocated to them from the Ecological Fund to tackle floods and other ecological problems. Ecological problems (like climate change) have been and will continue to intensify rainfall events, if not mitigated. When floods occur in this warmer future, these floods will be more severe as some regions will experience an increase in flooding, while some will experience a decrease. A stitch in time saves nine. Though we have enumerated the negative effects of flood alongside the positive effects, it is better to regulate human activities and enhance mitigation of climate change than to try to fix the bigger problems it will create in the nearest future.

It will be great if you will lend your voice to this outcry for help. Let us know what you think about the current flooding situation in Nigeria. Therefore, feel free to comment, like, and share. You can also make a donation to assist Nigerian flood victims.

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