In the past few weeks, Nigeria has witnessed yet another tragic wave of flooding, with devastating consequences. Even as the rainy season is only beginning, entire communities have been submerged, lives lost, and properties destroyed. This worsening crisis calls for immediate and sustained action.
One of the most severe incidents occurred recently in Mokwa, a market town in Niger State. Over 100 people were killed and more than 600 residents are still missing after torrential floods swept through the area, destroying thousands of homes. The tragedy was reportedly triggered by the collapse of a nearby dam, which had not been properly maintained or reinforced, an all-too-familiar failure in infrastructure management.
Unfortunately, the disaster in Mokwa is not an isolated case. Similar floods have been reported across various states, overwhelming drainage systems, displacing families, and wreaking havoc on local economies. The floodwaters, in some cases, traveled long distances before inundating communities, washing people and property into the River Niger.
Despite repeated warnings from authorities urging residents along riverbanks to relocate to higher ground, Nigeria remains largely unprepared for seasonal flooding. The lack of early warning systems, inadequate drainage infrastructure, and poor urban planning continue to compound the disaster. Year after year, we see the same cycle of preventable destruction and loss.
More troubling is the fact that this surge in flooding has come before the peak of the rainy season. If these early rains have caused such damage, what happens when heavier downpours arrive in the coming months? Without urgent intervention, the country risks facing an even greater humanitarian and environmental catastrophe.
At Global Relief and Emergency Assistance Foundation (GREAF), we have consistently called on the government to adopt a proactive, not reactive, approach to flood management. This includes:
Regular assessment and maintenance of dams and water control structures
Construction and expansion of efficient drainage systems
Investment in community education and emergency preparedness
Strengthening the capacity of state and federal emergency management agencies
Flooding in Nigeria has become an annual disaster, but it should not be treated as an inevitable one. The government must prioritize climate resilience and disaster preparedness now. Every year that passes without adequate action increases the risk to human lives, livelihoods, and national development.
We will continue to raise our voice, advocate for vulnerable communities, and call for concrete steps. The cost of inaction is simply too high.
Odiaka Chionye Hencs Humanitarian/Emergency Management Professional https://twitter.com/greaf15 #nationalemergency
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