..Experts Call for Long-Term Flood Management
Flooding has re-emerged as a national crisis in Nigeria, with thousands of families displaced and farmlands submerged across multiple states as heavy rains continue. Communities in Benue, Kogi, Bayelsa, and Anambra are among the worst-hit, with residents forced to abandon their homes as rivers overflow their banks.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed that more than 80,000 people have been affected since July, with shelters struggling to accommodate the influx of displaced persons. Roads connecting major cities have also been cut off, disrupting transportation and trade.
Experts warn that the flooding is aggravated by poor drainage infrastructure and the release of water from dams, particularly the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon. Farmers in the North Central region have expressed fears of food shortages as rice, maize, and yam farmlands are destroyed.
Environmental activists are calling on the government to treat flooding as a national emergency. “It is no longer seasonal. It is a recurring disaster that we must address with long-term planning,” said Dr. Olumide Idowu, a climate policy analyst.
While government agencies have mobilized relief materials, including food and medical supplies, many victims complain that aid is insufficient. In Kogi State, camps in Lokoja are overcrowded, with little access to clean water or health facilities.
Public health officials are also worried about outbreaks of cholera and malaria, which often follow flooding incidents. Hospitals in Bayelsa are already reporting an increase in waterborne diseases.
Climate experts predict heavier rainfall in the weeks ahead, urging states in flood-prone areas to prioritize early evacuation. With Nigeria’s food security and infrastructure under threat, citizens are left wondering if the country is prepared for the devastating realities of climate change.
