Sixty-five deaths have been recorded, more than 36,000 houses have collapsed, and more than 22,200 acres of farmland destroyed. Since the causes of the incessant flooding in Nigerian cities border on poor physical planning. Lagos floods: Heavy rain, storms cause chaos. Most parts of the central states of Nigeria and other adjoining states along the river Niger and Benue are devastated by these floods causing huge destruction to the rural and urban infrastructures (farmlands/crops, roads, buildings, damages, bridges, power lines e.t.c ) and socioeconomic lives of the areas. Your email address will not be published. This has been worsened by inadequate clearing and maintenance of the drainage channels when the wastes might have been cleared out by statutory authorities. The occurrence of floods in Nigeria is not a recent phenomenon. The other causes of flooding are moderate to severe winds over water, unusual hightides, tsunamis due to undersea earthquakes, breaks or failures of dams, levees, retention ponds or lakes, and other infrastructure that retains water. The dam is located 50 km south of the city of Garoua on the Benue River. Climate change brings about variability in rainfall and also causes sea level to rise which eventually flood adjoining coasts. Though detailed statistics are not available regarding the losses sustained by the urban dwellers and flood victims, it is obvious from the available record that irreparable havocs have been sustained by the citizen of Nigeria due to what has become perennial natural disaster in our cities. Therefore, the need for appropriate planning and forecast. Pluvial floods usually occur annually during rainy seasons (between July and October) and affect mainly the urban areas in Nigeria. All Rights Reserve. Coastal flooding occurs in the low-lying belt of mangrove and fresh water swamps along the coast. This is called pluvial flooding. The research gives a clear insight into the causes, effects and solution to flooding in Nigeria. Rural-urban migration has increased the population of people inhabiting Nigerian urban centers over the years leading to erection of indiscriminate and illegal structures by residents in floodwater pathways, thereby obstructing the free flow of run-off and worsening river floods in affected areas. Sometimes, flooding is caused by hurricanes. Flood is one of the most important water-related natural disaster causing damages of properties and loss of lives [2]. Niger Flooding Causes Over 36,000 Houses to Collapse . 1. The periodicity of flood implies that every year some area surrounding the river (on both sides) is flooded. Uncontrolled urbanization in Nigerian cities has led to unplanned development in the flood plains and urban population encroachment on marginal low-lying riverine lands or swamps. (2009). Deforestation . and Adeyemi, J.O. Your email address will not be published. and coastal areas in Nigeria flooding continue to pose a major risk to many of the inhabitants of the low-lying coastal areas [1]. Although some Nigerian cities have adequate drainage facilities, they are either not enough in number and capacity or they are not properly interconnected (poor connectivity/network) to convey the generated surface run-off. Thus, topography and weather conditions are some of the factors that might make an area vulnerable to flooding. More so, if someone builds in the water way, the possibility is that he will block the water during rainfall thus, causing flooding. which assist in carrying storm water to natural drains or rivers or other nearest water bodies. Lagos … This is called pluvial flooding. In Nigeria’s cities, the most common cause of flooding after excessive rains is poor drainage systems that can’t cope. (4) what are the ways to proffer solution to flooding in Nigeria? This is because excessive rainfall has always generated floods in areas with less pronounced slopes. The research will help to identify the areas that are prone to flood. Now rising is the threat of water-related diseases, such as cholera and acute watery diarrhoea, which are easily spread through contaminated floodwater. Prof Olumide Ajose, Chairman Lekki Residents Association, Lagos State: Typhoon causes major flooding in Philippine capital. It will also help to know the ways to mitigate the effect of flooding. Flooding in this context is a situation in which there is an overflow of water such that it covers the land area that is usually dry. The research will help to identify the areas that are prone to flood. Other causes, according to our checks, are flooding during the wet season, poor storage facilities, and rising demand. In Nigeria’s cities, the most common cause of flooding after excessive rains is poor drainage systems that can’t cope. Floods are major disasters affecting many countries of the world annually especially in most flood plain areas. Its also not news that a great part of most Nigerian states gets submerged in flood when it starts to rain real hard from the months of July, August, September, etc. It will also help to know the ways to mitigate the effect of flooding. The absence of/inadequate drainage facilities form a major cause of flooding in Nigerian cities. The research will help to identify the areas that are prone to flood. In Nigeria’s cities, the most common cause of flooding after excessive rains is poor drainage systems that can’t cope. Inadequate Drainage: occasioned by Blockage of Water ways: Across the country, there are heaps of refuse and garbage... 2. Flooding which arguably has been more damaging for Nigeria has worsened recently due to a number of possible factors includ - ing rapid population growth, urbanization, poor urban planning and climate change especially in increased frequency and intensity of rainfall. The research gives a clear insight into the causes, effects and solution to flooding in Nigeria. Flash floods have been common in Nigerian cities due to the absence (where roads were constructed without provision made for local drainage system) or inadequacy of these drainage facilities. Nigeria: Flooding causes damage and casualties in Kano state September 5 Flooding causes damage and casualties in Kano state as of September 5; disruption to transport and business likely TIMEFRAME expected from 9/5/2020, 12:00 AM until 9/12/2020, 11:59 PM (Africa/Lagos). there is the need for those in charge of physical planning and policy formulation in Nigeria makers to understand that natural disasters such as floods have destructive potential. In Nigeria, there exist reports of flooding in some towns and cities during heavy downpours but none compares with the flood under review. Published July 21, 2017 July 21, 2017. Or Human Causes. Flash flooding has created a humanitarian emergency in areas of north-eastern Nigeria already complicated by insurgency, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and a fragile health system. Urbanization aggravates flooding by limiting where run-off can flow and the increased impervious layers in urban areas obstruct the natural channel thereby shortening the time taken by flood water to flow into river. Traffic is seen in Lagos, Nigeria after flooding deluged the streets on Tuesday (June 30). Topography. It highlights the main causes of Nigeria’s flooding problem are man-made and advocates spatial planning as a suitable Flood Risk Management (FRM) strategy for the Nigerian environment. Zaria Geographers, 17(1): 28-36. A flooded apartment in Lekki . Prof Olumide Ajose, Chairman Lekki Residents Association, Lagos State: We have made a careful study of the major causes of flooding in Lekki Phase I. Apart from houses that collapse by flooding, schools buildings and bridges sometimes collapse as well. This is called pluvial flooding. The flooding is the worst since 1958. The other causes of flooding are moderate to severe winds over water, unusual hightides, tsunamis due to undersea earthquakes, breaks or failures of dams, levees, retention ponds or lakes, and other infrastructure that retains water. Required fields are marked *. Analysis of Urban Expansion and Loss of Vegetation in Lokoja using GIS Techniques. References In cities and suburbs, pavement and rooftops prevent some rainfall from being absorbed by the soil. rainfall) can cause all flood types. In places where drainage facilities are available, some have been blocked by solid wastes and debris. References Changes in the built-up areas restricts where floodwaters can go e.g. Refuse should be discarded properly. Photos: The effects of climate change on the world. July Markets places and farmlands are submerged for weeks and sometimes are washed away. In other words, this article aims to identify the causes of flooding commonly witnessed across most Nigerian cities in recent times. Generally, causes of flood in Nigeria could be as a result of Natural Cause or Human Cause. Dozens killed, houses destroyed as floods ravage North-central Nigeria Torrential rains accompanied by strong winds have in recent weeks wreaked havoc in the North-central sub-region of Nigeria. Flooding is commonly caused by heavy downpours of rains on flat ground, reservoir failure, volcano, melting of snow and or glaciers e.t.c. (2) what are the causes of flooding in Nigeria? In the last three decades, the impacts of flooding have increasingly assumed from significant to threatening proportions, resulting in loss of lives and properties. Flooding can be aggravated by impervious surfaces or by other natural and man-made hazards which destroy soil, vegetation that can absorb rainfall. Nigeria rushes into current flash flooding to mitigate health hazards. 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