Flooding can be incredibly devastating, causing damage to homes, infrastructure, and the environment, and disrupting lives in many ways.
It’s almost mid-year and flooding has begun earnestly in most parts of the world.
Environment Correspondent, Gimalo-Angel Olowogoke takes us to some parts of Africa, Asia, Europe where this global torture is already destroying lives and property.
Rapid urbanization, poor drainage systems, and extreme weather exacerbate the impact of flooding, leaving communities vulnerable and struggling to cope.”
As Nigeria grapples with the challenges of flooding, one thing remains clear – the strength and spirit of its people will endure, rising above the waters to build a brighter future.
Also Read: Lagos Flooding: Oko-baba, Agege, Egbede, Ikotun, Ajegunle, and Ojo, Worst Hit
Elsewhere in Africa, Heavy rains in central Kenya killed at least 45 people when floodwaters swept away houses and cars in the town of Mai Mahiu, a government minister said.
Kenyan President William Ruto chaired a multi-agency flood response meeting and directed the National Youth Service to provide land for people in flood-affected areas.
Still in Africa’s east, the prime minister said Flooding in Tanzania caused by weeks of heavy rain has killed 155 people and affected more than 200,000 others.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa told parliament that the El Niño climate pattern has worsened the ongoing rainy season, causing flooding and destroying roads, bridges and railways.
Away from Africa, in the middle east…. Chaos ensued in the United Arab Emirates after the country witnessed the heaviest rainfall in 75 years, with some areas recording more than 250 mm (around 10 inches) of precipitation in fewer than 24 hours and this is coming from the state’s media office.
The rainfall, which flooded streets, uprooted palm trees and shattered building facades, has never been seen in the Middle Eastern nation since records began in 1949.
And in Europe, Tens of thousands of people were displaced following devastating floods after major rivers burst their banks in northern Kazakhstan And Russia
In the meantime, Water levels in the Ishim River in Russia’s Tyumen region have hit an all-time high, regional authorities said, causing a large traffic backup along a major highway.
Since early April, Russia and neighboring Kazakhstan have been battling devastating floods that have forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people.
Out of Europe now to Asia where Floods swamped cities in southern China’s densely populated Pearl River Delta following record-breaking rains, sparking worries about the region’s defences against bigger deluges induced by extreme weather events.
Weather events in China have become more intense and unpredictable because of global warming, scientists say, with record-breaking rainfall and drought assailing the world’s second-largest economy, often at the same time.
Staying with Asia, at least 50 people have died in Pakistan in storms that have been lashing the country, officials said on Tuesday, as they urged emergency services to remain on high alert. Authorities in Afghanistan also reported a death toll of 50 the same day.
Flooding can cause chronically wet houses, leading to the growth of indoor mold and resulting in adverse health effects, particularly respiratory symptoms. Respiratory diseases are a common after the disaster has occurred.
In seeking for solutions, Structures, such as bridges, that must unavoidably be in flood hazard areas should be designed to withstand flooding.
Areas most at risk for flooding could be put to valuable uses that could be abandoned temporarily as people retreat to safer areas when a flood is imminent.
Weather warnings are also important because they are used to protect lives and property.
Critical community-safety facilities, such as hospitals, emergency-operations centers, and police, fire, and rescue services, should be built in areas least at risk of flooding.
Remember that rule number 1 for flooding is: do not panic!
GIMALO-ANGEL OLOWOGOKE, LN247
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