LESSONS FROM NEPAL’S FLOOD DISASTER
Government should invest heavily in flood prevention The people of Nepal are still counting their losses from the devastating flash flood which ripped through their border with China, inundating towns,
The devastating flash flood that swept through Nepal, claiming over a thousand lives and causing massive destruction, serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for improved flood prevention measures in Nigeria. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) are worried that such a catastrophic event could repeat itself if people continue to ignore warnings.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) urges Nigerians to stay vigilant, as these disasters are no longer isolated seasonal occurrences but a growing national crisis demanding immediate action.
The primary issue is not that flooding happens naturally, but that authorities and citizens are aware of the risks but persist in developing high-risk areas. It is unacceptable for authorities to permit construction in flood-prone zones while providing little guidance on the consequences of such decisions. The physical planning system in Nigeria requires urgent reform, with every development in flood-sensitive areas necessitating thorough environmental assessments before approval.
Furthermore, the government must stop allowing development to precede the necessary infrastructure, such as adequate drainage systems, storm-water channels, and waste management. Nigerians must also take responsibility by conducting proper due diligence before purchasing land and building. Early warnings should be more than just technical forecasts; they should be clear and easily understandable to all citizens.
Government agencies at all levels must establish robust standards for issuing and disseminating flood alerts through various communication channels, including community leaders and local emergency structures.
Nigeria needs to shift its focus from expensive flood response to prevention. Every naira spent clearing blocked drainage channels before the rains could potentially save money on emergency reconstruction after a flood. Preventing illegal structures from obstructing waterways can save lives and millions of naira in property losses.
Flood prevention should become an integral part of urban governance, with sustained drainage rehabilitation and maintenance activities rather than seasonal desilting exercises. Developers should only be approved if they undergo rigorous environmental and flood-risk assessments, with no exceptions for politically connected individuals or property owners.
While floods are natural events, their destruction is often exacerbated by human decisions. Nigeria cannot prevent every rainfall-induced disaster, but it can prevent people from building on waterways, stop drains from becoming dumping grounds, enforce planning regulations, improve warning systems, and prepare communities before the water arrives.
The choice is no longer between flooding and lack of flooding; it is between preparedness and catastrophe. The Nepal floods have served as a stark warning to Nigeria, and it is imperative that the country takes immediate action to strengthen real-time hydrological monitoring and establish binding information-sharing arrangements with neighboring countries, particularly regarding major transboundary rivers and dams.
Written by urgent.news from This Day's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
