Flooding
has become one of the major and obvious environmental issues one has to contend
of within the century. This is especially the case in most wetlands of the
world. The reason of this is the general rise in sea level globally due to
global warming as well as the saturated nature of the wetlands in the Niger
Delta and other coastal regions. Periodic floods occur on many rivers, forming
a surrounding
has become one of the major and obvious environmental issues one has to contend
of within the century. This is especially the case in most wetlands of the
world. The reason of this is the general rise in sea level globally due to
global warming as well as the saturated nature of the wetlands in the Niger
Delta and other coastal regions. Periodic floods occur on many rivers, forming
a surrounding
region known as flood plain. Rivers overflow for reasons like
excess rainfall. The good thing about river overflows is the fact that as flood
waters flows into the banks, sand, silt and debris are deposited into the
surrounding land. After the river water subsided and go back to its normal flow
the deposited materials will help make the land richer or more fertile. The
organic materials and mineral deposited by the river water keep the soil
fertile and productive, (Abowei & Sikoki, 2005).
During
times of rain or snow, some of the water is retained in pond or soil. Some is
absorbed by grasses and vegetation, some evaporates and rest travels over the
land as surface runoff. Flood occurs when ponds, lakes, riverbeds. soil and
vegetation cannot absorb all the water. Water runoff the land in quantities
that cannot be carried within stream channels or retained in natural ponds,
lakes and manmade reservoirs. About 30% of all precipitation becomes runoff and
that amount might be increased by water from melting snow. A flood that raises
rapidly, with little or no relatively small area or if, the area was already saturated
from previous precipitation, (Henry, 2006).
times of rain or snow, some of the water is retained in pond or soil. Some is
absorbed by grasses and vegetation, some evaporates and rest travels over the
land as surface runoff. Flood occurs when ponds, lakes, riverbeds. soil and
vegetation cannot absorb all the water. Water runoff the land in quantities
that cannot be carried within stream channels or retained in natural ponds,
lakes and manmade reservoirs. About 30% of all precipitation becomes runoff and
that amount might be increased by water from melting snow. A flood that raises
rapidly, with little or no relatively small area or if, the area was already saturated
from previous precipitation, (Henry, 2006).
During
flooding water supplies that result in contamination of water. (Water
pollution) clean drinking becomes scarce. Unhygienic conditions and spread of
water-borne disease result. People buildings, infrastructure, agriculture, open
recreational space and the national world.
flooding water supplies that result in contamination of water. (Water
pollution) clean drinking becomes scarce. Unhygienic conditions and spread of
water-borne disease result. People buildings, infrastructure, agriculture, open
recreational space and the national world.
In
extreme cases flooding may cause a loss of life. Torrential rains push rivers
over their banks, collapsed mud houses and wash away livestock, (Adelye &
Rustum, 2011).
extreme cases flooding may cause a loss of life. Torrential rains push rivers
over their banks, collapsed mud houses and wash away livestock, (Adelye &
Rustum, 2011).
Although
flooding generally is a bane to most people, floods can be quite beneficial.
Actually, believe it or not nature benefits more from natural floods than from
not having them at all. The thing that makes natural flooding a disaster is
when flood water occurs in areas populated by human and in areas of significant
human development. Otherwise when left in its natural state. The benefit of
flood outweigh the adverse effects.
flooding generally is a bane to most people, floods can be quite beneficial.
Actually, believe it or not nature benefits more from natural floods than from
not having them at all. The thing that makes natural flooding a disaster is
when flood water occurs in areas populated by human and in areas of significant
human development. Otherwise when left in its natural state. The benefit of
flood outweigh the adverse effects.
Ravaging floods killed dozens in Nigeria and
displaced tens of thousands of residents as crocodiles, hippos and other water
animals washed into homes. The floods have left 148 people dead and affected 21
of the nations three dozens states, according to the Local Red Cross.
displaced tens of thousands of residents as crocodiles, hippos and other water
animals washed into homes. The floods have left 148 people dead and affected 21
of the nations three dozens states, according to the Local Red Cross.
In
the 2012 floods that ravage the entire nation of Nigeria. Okwagbe had her fair
share. It was submerged in water to about 65% of the entire community (inland
and waterside). St. Vincent’s College Okwagbe served as the first settlement
site for flood victims, housing, not only Okwagbe indigenes but people from the
surrounding community.
the 2012 floods that ravage the entire nation of Nigeria. Okwagbe had her fair
share. It was submerged in water to about 65% of the entire community (inland
and waterside). St. Vincent’s College Okwagbe served as the first settlement
site for flood victims, housing, not only Okwagbe indigenes but people from the
surrounding community.
Nigeria’s
rainy season occurs between May and October. Torrential rains are especially
had on communities in rural areas, where drainage is inadequate or
nonexistence. In the state of Benue, more than 25,000 people were displaced
after a local river overflowed; the National Emergency Management Agency said.
rainy season occurs between May and October. Torrential rains are especially
had on communities in rural areas, where drainage is inadequate or
nonexistence. In the state of Benue, more than 25,000 people were displaced
after a local river overflowed; the National Emergency Management Agency said.
O’connor
& John (2004) stated that flooding damages bridges and cause a dam to
overflow, submerging buildings, displacement from homes, loss of valuables and
the ongoing fear and insecurity caused by the experience. Portable water
supplies may be lost or contaminated in a flood and this can have immediate
health effects upon people and animals. The economy can also be severely
affected by flooding. Businesses may lose stock, patronage data and
productivity and disruption to utilities and transport infrastructure can have
knock — on effect to a wider area.
& John (2004) stated that flooding damages bridges and cause a dam to
overflow, submerging buildings, displacement from homes, loss of valuables and
the ongoing fear and insecurity caused by the experience. Portable water
supplies may be lost or contaminated in a flood and this can have immediate
health effects upon people and animals. The economy can also be severely
affected by flooding. Businesses may lose stock, patronage data and
productivity and disruption to utilities and transport infrastructure can have
knock — on effect to a wider area.
Tourism,
farming and livestock can equally be affected. Vital infrastructure may also be
damaged or disrupted. Electricity and gas supplies can be interrupted to
individual properties but also to wider communities if substations and
transformers themselves are flooded, Road links, railways, canals etc. may be
blocked causing disruption to the wider transport network and accessibility
severely disrupted for local inhabitants, especially amongst those vulnerable
and lost of communication networks. (Adelye & Rastum, 2011).
farming and livestock can equally be affected. Vital infrastructure may also be
damaged or disrupted. Electricity and gas supplies can be interrupted to
individual properties but also to wider communities if substations and
transformers themselves are flooded, Road links, railways, canals etc. may be
blocked causing disruption to the wider transport network and accessibility
severely disrupted for local inhabitants, especially amongst those vulnerable
and lost of communication networks. (Adelye & Rastum, 2011).
The
Kogi State Emergency Agency, Director Ministry of Information (SEMA), said the
number of displaced persons in the state had raised to 623,690. In its latest
report, damaged properties estimated over N2bn where lost to the flood while
about 344 communities were completely submerged by the 2012 ravaging flood.
This, authorities urged residents living along River Niger to move to higher
ground. The evacuation order affected the states of Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Kebbi,
Anambra and Delta
Kogi State Emergency Agency, Director Ministry of Information (SEMA), said the
number of displaced persons in the state had raised to 623,690. In its latest
report, damaged properties estimated over N2bn where lost to the flood while
about 344 communities were completely submerged by the 2012 ravaging flood.
This, authorities urged residents living along River Niger to move to higher
ground. The evacuation order affected the states of Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Kebbi,
Anambra and Delta
In
August, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) predicted heavy rains this
year, warning local authorities and residents to keep drainage ditches clear,
but as usual, warnings were either ignored or not taken seriously, said NIMET.
August, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) predicted heavy rains this
year, warning local authorities and residents to keep drainage ditches clear,
but as usual, warnings were either ignored or not taken seriously, said NIMET.
31
states experienced devastating flood in 2013, says report apart from Ekiti,
Enugu, Kastina, Imo, Abia state and Federal Capital Territoty (FCT). all other
states in Nigeria will experience a devastating flood this year. This was
contained in 2013 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) for Nigeria presented by the
Director General, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NTHSA), John Shamonda.
The DG explained that 156 Local Government Areas would experience the
devastating flood, while other areas might not he affected at all, The agency
conclusion of flood forecast based on the earlier report by the Nigeria
Meteorological Agency (NIMET), which led his team to assess flood outlook that
came out with the report.
states experienced devastating flood in 2013, says report apart from Ekiti,
Enugu, Kastina, Imo, Abia state and Federal Capital Territoty (FCT). all other
states in Nigeria will experience a devastating flood this year. This was
contained in 2013 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) for Nigeria presented by the
Director General, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NTHSA), John Shamonda.
The DG explained that 156 Local Government Areas would experience the
devastating flood, while other areas might not he affected at all, The agency
conclusion of flood forecast based on the earlier report by the Nigeria
Meteorological Agency (NIMET), which led his team to assess flood outlook that
came out with the report.
References
Abowei,
J. F. N & F. D. Sikoki, (2005), Water Pollution Management and
J. F. N & F. D. Sikoki, (2005), Water Pollution Management and
Control, Port Harcourt: Double Trust
Publications Co.
Publications Co.
Adelye,
A & R. Rustum, (2011). Logos (Nigeria) Flooding influence of Urban Planning.
J. Urban Design & Planning (ICE), 164 (3): 175 – 187.
A & R. Rustum, (2011). Logos (Nigeria) Flooding influence of Urban Planning.
J. Urban Design & Planning (ICE), 164 (3): 175 – 187.
Henry,
P. (2006) Levees and other raised ground. Am. Sci; 94 (1): 7 – 11
P. (2006) Levees and other raised ground. Am. Sci; 94 (1): 7 – 11
O’connor,
J. E. & E. E John, (2004). The World’s Largest Floods, Past and
J. E. & E. E John, (2004). The World’s Largest Floods, Past and
Present: Their Causes and
Magnitudes! Circular 1254). Washington, DC; U. S Department of the interior, U.
S. Geological Survey.
Magnitudes! Circular 1254). Washington, DC; U. S Department of the interior, U.
S. Geological Survey.