The Impact of Flooding on Communities and Infrastructure

Natural disasters are one of the most unpleasant happenings around us that happen naturally and most likely unavoidable due to the manner in which they happen, and it's always leaves are unpalatable effective behind because it tends to claim lives and properties, leaving many displaced and homeless, and that's one of the reasons why we see people migrate from their residence to other places for safety. Through the years I've witnessed some of such, and I'll like to talk about it.

There are several natural disasters that pleague our world, such as floods, tsunamis, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, landslides, and several others to mention but a few, although luckily for us here in my country, Nigeria, we are less likely to experience most of the top and most common natural disasters the world faces, but still, we've been a victim of one particular one in terms of flooding, although it's a natural disaster, but then I think we humans also play a huge role in making it have more effect on us than it would have been naturally if we had tidied up our environment and kept the drainage system free of dirt.

Flooding has been a big issue for us here in Nigeria, especially during the rainy season, and Lagosians who stay on the island play dearly for this, mostly because the street is literally filled with water that passes your kneecap, and that's even fair because when you visit other states in the rural areas, you'll behold an entire village that has been submerged by the flood, in the process leading to the destruction of lives and property.

Almost every year, a lot of people lose their lives due to these reoccurring issues, and the same goes for property that is being destroyed; in fact, it has led to a point where people are displaced from their ancestral homeland because that has been plagued by floods, and in safe of a safer place to live, many have turned into refugees in their own country, having to move to a place provided by the government or rich individuals to house those affected by such incidents.

I remember the news of the flood displacement. Many people in Kogi State a few years ago, it was a very terrible incident, because someone I know even lost most of his investments to that disaster, and that led to depression for him. Not forgetting that the flood led to the village not being adaptable again for the next few months, they had to move to a neighboring village and state for safety.

And over there, although things weren't as pleasant as they were in the comfort of their home, it's better than living a risky lifestyle in a flooded village that'll tend to house more mosquitoes, leading to malaria and the like. Luckily, many people rushed to their aids, giving out food items, money, and valuable items that can help them start all over again.

Also, like I said earlier, we the people are partially responsible for this flood being more powerful to chase us from our house, so I'll plead with the government to please help us build an effective drainage system and as well arrest anyone who dumbly refuses inappropriately on the street or inside a drainage system, letting that block the drainage system and cause more havoc during flooding.

When that is done, we'll have a safer community that isn't plagued by flooding because our drainage system will most likely curb its effect, lead the water to other places, and ultimately prevent our land from being flooded over and over again, leading to displacement and the like.

All photos taken and edited on canva.