YET ANOTHER FLOOD WARNING
The authorities can still do more to minimise the impact of floods The rainy season has peaked, creating an unfortunate potential of avoidable deaths and destruction of property due to
The National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre has issued a flood warning, predicting heavy flooding in 24 states and the Federal Capital Territory between September 27 and October 10. Heavy rainfall, rising river levels, saturated soil, and increased surface runoff are attributed to the heightened risk. Critical-risk communities exist in all six geopolitical zones across Nigeria.
The recent heavy rainfall has caused flooding in the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, despite NiMet warnings for coastal states to prepare for flash flooding. The administration has shifted from reactive response to proactive preparedness, emphasizing the need for early action and coordination in combating flood and other climate-related disasters.
However, the lack of actionable plans from authorities responsible for flood mitigation leaves many Nigerians vulnerable. From 2012, when 665 people died and losses amounted to $6.7 billion, to the present, flooding has caused immense damage to the ecosystem, destroyed public utilities, and displaced thousands. The Ecological Fund, established in 1981, has been mismanaged, leaving the country at the mercy of environmental forces.
Written by urgent.news from This Day's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
