The heavy flood that visited Lagos State on Wednesday, left many Nigerians in deep pity for residents of the state, but also, it left those residents and business owners devastated.
Indeed, that ill fated day has gone by, with Lagosians praying never to experience such again.
But sadly, the Federal Government has revealed that the flood in Lagos was just the beginning.
The government has issued a warning on the likelihood of severe river flooding impacting 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) starting from the end of July.
The Expected Flood
Now, residents of these states are left with no option but to prepare for what is to come.
This forecast is part of the government’s ongoing assessment and response to the natural disaster risks exacerbated by climate conditions.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, addressed journalists in Abuja on Thursday.
He highlighted the additional health risks posed by the expected floods, particularly with cholera on the loose.
This deadly disease has already claimed 63 lives with 2,102 suspected cases reported by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Destructive Flooding
The Minister emphasised that the upcoming river floods could worsen the cholera situation due to the contamination of water sources.
According to Minister Utsev, what the country has witnessed since May are instances of flash and urban flooding caused by high rainfall intensities, and inadequate and clogged drainage systems in city areas.
However, he noted that from late July, the pattern might shift to more destructive river flooding.
“Given our geographical position at the lowest portion of the River Niger Basin, once the upper catchment areas experience flooding, Nigeria should brace for significant flooding incidents,” Utsev explained.
He also reassured that the current situation at the Wuroboki monitoring station, downstream of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, is stable.
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However, the dam is presently being filled for hydropower generation.
“We are in the final stages of implementing plans to construct buffer dams along the water channel to manage water flow from Lagdo Dam.
The designs are complete and we are nearing the implementation phase,” stated Utsev.
Cholera
Addressing the cholera crisis, the minister highlighted the establishment of a presidential committee tasked with tackling the outbreak.
The committee is also focusing on addressing the issue of open defecation, which significantly contributes to the spread of cholera.
Utsev called on state and local governments, along with other stakeholders and the general public, to adopt preventative measures to mitigate the effects of flooding.
“It is crucial for everyone to engage actively in flood prevention practices to avoid the devastating impacts witnessed in past years,” he urged.
He listed states at high risk to include:
Akwa Ibom
Anambra
Benue
Bayelsa
Cross River
Delta
Edo
Jigawa
Kogi
Kebbi
Kaduna
Niger
Nasarawa
Ondo
Ogun
Rivers
Taraba
FCT
