Every year about 21 million
people throughout the world are prone to river floods. Available statistics
indicates that India, Bangladesh, China, Vietnam, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt,
Myanmar, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Brazil, Thailand, Democratic Republic of Congo,
Iraq, and Cambodia account for nearly 80 percent of the total population
affected in an average year. In
Nigeria, 287,244 people could be affected, on average.
From the north to south,
east to west, floods have had significant impacts on people, businesses and
economies with high severity. In 2012, the consequences of heavy rains that
struck the whole country were the
death of 365 people, 5,851 injured persons and over 3 million displaced
citizens. The monetary worth of the year’s damages and losses was N2.6
trillion with 1.4% impact on real Gross Domestic Product (N570 billion, in
nominal terms). Within few months of rainy season, Nigeria has experienced the
worst flood disaster since 2012, displacing 19,369 people, causing 61 deaths
and destroying 5,732 houses, according to the country’s National Emergency
Management Agency.
Infoprations’ Trending Analysis shows that between 2004 and 2018,
Nigerians sought knowledge on the Internet. The search
volume index during the period was 1,009. However, further analysis reveals
that Nigerians in 24 States mostly sought knowledge on flood with a total of
12,357 search volume. Kano, Enugu, Kaduna, Lagos, Nasarawa, Anambra, Abia, Edo,
Akwa Ibom and Oyo were the States where people sought knowledge from the most, signifying
the need to understand possible causes and consequences of flood in the States.
Despite Nigerians’ interest in
knowing the causes and how to avert flood disasters over the years, analysis
indicates that indiscriminate dumping of refuse on waterways and construction
of buildings near water channels still persist especially in the affected
States. For instance, in Oyo State, earlier
research reveals that people in Apete, Odo-Ona and Ogunpa who experienced the 2011, 2012 and 2013 floods
could not apply the knowledge gained to reduce negative impacts of flood. From 2004
to May 2018, Infoprations’ check
reveals that Nigerians have been warned about the inherent dangers associated with
the failure to comply with prevention techniques. Sokoto, Niger, Benue, Anambra,
Ogun, Osun, Cross River and Yobe States have earlier this year identified as
States that would experience coastal flooding, according to the Nigeria
Hydrological Agency.
Infoprations’ check also reveals that Nigerians and governments
have been advised on the need to build
resilient communities and invest in infrastructure that will prevent floods
across the country.
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