2022 Adamawa State flood

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2022 Adamawa State flood
Yola-bridge-under.jpg
Yola Bridge during the flood
DateSeptember 2022
Location Adamawa State, Nigeria
Cause Heavy rainfall, River overflow, Dam spill
Deaths25
Property damageHouses, farmlands and other properties

The 2022 Adamawa State flood was a natural disaster that occurred in Adamawa State, Nigeria, in September 2022. It affected over 30,000 square kilometers of land and exposed about 6.6 million people to potential risks. The flood was caused by heavy rainfall and increased water flows from the Cameroonian highlands. [1] It resulted in 25 deaths, 58 injuries, and the displacement of 131,638 people. It also submerged 153 communities and damaged houses, farmlands and other properties. The flood highlighted the vulnerability of the region to such events and the need for better preparedness and mitigation measures. [2] [3]

Contents

In October 2023, the North-East region of Nigeria experienced a series of flood incidents, primarily attributed to water releases from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon. According to a report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), this event resulted in significant infrastructure damage, displacing more than 8,504 households and killing 33 individuals, predominantly women, children, and the elderly. [4]

Causes

The 2022 Adamawa State flood was caused by a combination of factors, including heavy rainfall, river overflows, and dam spills in Cameroon during the rainy season. According to the report from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), this event led to severe flooding in 31 out of the 36 federal states of Nigeria, with Adamawa being among the worst affected. [5] [3]

One of the main causes of the flood was the increased water flows from the Cameroonian highlands, which drained into the Benue River and its tributaries. The water level of the Benue River rose significantly, exceeding its normal capacity and overflowing its banks. The situation was worsened by the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, which added more pressure to the already swollen river. [6]

Another cause of the flood was the heavy rainfall that occurred in Adamawa State and other parts of Nigeria during the rainy season. The rainfall exceeded the average annual precipitation and saturated the soil, reducing its infiltration capacity and increasing surface runoff. The runoff collected in low-lying areas and formed flash floods that swept away houses, farmlands, and other properties. [7]

Impact

The 2022 Adamawa State flood had a devastating impact on the lives and livelihoods of the people in the affected areas. According to NEMA, as of September 2022, the flood resulted in 25 reported fatalities and left 58 people critically injured. An additional 131,638 individuals were displaced from their homes and sought refuge in camps or with relatives and friends. The flood also submerged 153 communities across 12 Local Government Areas (LGAs) within Adamawa State, affecting about 260,000 people. [7]

The flood also caused extensive damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and other sectors. It destroyed or damaged houses, roads, bridges, schools, health facilities, and other public amenities. It also washed away crops, livestock, food stocks, and other assets. The flood disrupted economic activities, such as farming, fishing, trading, and transportation. It also increased the risk of waterborne diseases, such as cholera and typhoid. [7]

According to NEMA, the flooding in 2023 resulted in the displacement of numerous inhabitants, risking croplands and infrastructure. In total, 159,157 individuals were affected, 28 people died, and 48,168 people were displaced in 13 states across Nigeria. [8] [9] [10]

Humanitarian response

In response to the flood situation, a collaborative multi-sectoral Rapid Needs Assessment (RNA) was initiated by NEMA and other humanitarian actors to address knowledge gaps and coordinate humanitarian efforts. The RNA aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the needs, vulnerabilities, capacities, and gaps in the affected areas. The RNA covered six sectors: shelter and non-food items (NFIs), food security and livelihoods (FSL), health, water sanitation and hygiene (WASH), protection, and education. [7]

Based on the RNA findings, NEMA and other humanitarian partners provided emergency assistance to the affected population. This included distributing relief items such as tents, mattresses, blankets, mosquito nets, cooking utensils, hygiene kits, and food rations. It also included providing health services, such as mobile clinics, immunization, and disease surveillance. It also included improving water supply, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, such as boreholes, latrines, and handwashing stations. It also included supporting protection activities, such as registering and tracing displaced persons, providing psychosocial support, and preventing gender-based violence. It also included restoring education services, such as rehabilitating schools, providing learning materials, and training teachers. [7]

Ongoing Monitoring

The circumstances surrounding this flooding were reported to continue to be closely monitored, and further updates on the situation are anticipated. A team from the National Emergency Management Agency, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, and Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency conducted an assessment tour to the Bakin Kogi river in Jimeta to monitor water levels for potential flooding. The water level was found to be 8.0 meters at 10.00 am on 30 August 2023. The team then contacted the Marine Unit of Nigeria Police Force for assistance in responding to the flood emergency. [11] [12]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adamawa State</span> State of Nigeria

Adamawa State is a state in the North-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. It is bordered by Borno to the northwest, Gombe to the west for 95 km, and Taraba to the southwest for about 366 km, while its eastern border forms part of the national border with Cameroon across the Atlantica Mountains for about 712 km. The state takes its name from the historic emirate of Adamawa, with the emirate's old capital of Yola now serving as the capital city of Adamawa state. The state is one of the most heterogeneous in Nigeria, having over 100 indigenous ethnic groups. It was formed in 1991 by the General Ibrahim Badamsi Babangida military regime, when the former Gongola state was divided into Adamawa and Taraba states. Since then, Adamawa State has had ten military and civilian governors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benue River</span> Tributary of the Niger River in Cameroon and Nigeria

Benue River, previously known as the Chadda River or Tchadda, is the major tributary of the Niger River. The size of its catchment basin is 319,000 km2. Almost its entire length of approximately 1,400 kilometres (870 mi) is navigable during the summer months. As a result, it is an important transportation route in the regions through which it flows. The name Benue comes from Binuwe, meaning 'Mother of Waters’ in the Batta language.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Borno State</span> State of Nigeria

Borno State is a state in the North-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria.It is bordered by Yobe to the west for about 421 km, Gombe to the southwest for 93 km, and Adamawa to the south while its eastern border forms part of the national border with Cameroon for about 426 km. Its northern border forms part of the national border with Niger for about 223 km, mostly across the Komadougou-Yobe River, and its northeastern border forms all of the national border with Chad for 85 km ,.It is the only Nigerian state to border up to three countries. It takes its name from the historic emirate of Borno, with the emirate's old capital of Maiduguri serving as the capital city of Borno State. The state was formed in 1976 when the former North-Eastern State was broken up. It originally included the area that is now Yobe State, which became a distinct state in 1991.

Jimeta is a town in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. The town's population was 73,080 in 1991. The elevation of Jimeta is 135 m, and it lies along the Benue River.

Onitsha North is a Local Government Area in Anambra State, South-East Nigeria. The headquarters is in GRA, Onitsha. Onitsha is the only town in Onitsha North and Onitsha South LGA. Onitsha North has a boundary by Idemili North and Oyi local government areas to the East, Anambra East local government area to the North, Onitsha South local government area by the South and Delta State by the West. But then, it has various localities that are residential areas for the population living in the local government area. These include Omagba Layout Phases 1 & 2, Inland Town, GRA, Federal Housing Estate Trans Nkisi GRA, Akpaka, Odoakpu, Ose, Omagba, etc. Onitsha North also has various primary and secondary schools owned by the government, individuals, and missions. It is also known as the city where the biggest market in West Africa is situated. However, Onitsha North has experienced several degrees of conflicts and riots. It was also affected by floods.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lagdo Reservoir</span> Reservoir in North Province

Lagdo Reservoir is a reservoir located in the Northern Province of Cameroon, on the Benue River, in the Niger basin. The lake covers an area of 586 km2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girei</span> LGA and town in Adamawa State, Nigeria

Girei is a town and local government area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. It lies on the Benue River. The dominant tribe in the area are the Fulɓe or Fulani; however, a substantial number of Bwatiye also dwell in villages such as Greng, Notable, and Labondo within the Girei local government area. The primary occupation of the people in the area is farming and cattle rearing. Girei is also a home to Radio Gotel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiri Dam</span> Dam in Shelleng, Adamawa State

The Kiri Dam is in Shelleng local government area of Adamawa State in the north east of Nigeria, damming the Gongola River. It is a 1.2 km long, 20 m high zoned embankment with an internal clay blanket. The dam was mainly completed in 1982. The reservoir has a capacity of 615 million m³.

The 2010 Nigerien floods were floods across Niger which left over 111,000 people homeless. Niger was already suffering acute food shortages following prolonged drought in the Sahel region. As of 24 August 2010, at least 6 to 8 people had died. The Niger river was pushed to its highest levels in 80 years. The floods subsequently spread along the River Niger into Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Togo and Benin over the next few months. Later storms also brewed up in the CAR, Morocco and northern Algeria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Nigeria floods</span> 2012 disaster in Nigeria

The 2012 Nigeria floods began in early July 2012. It killed 363 people and displaced over 2.1 million people as of 5 November 2012. According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), 30 of Nigeria's 36 states were affected by the floods and the two most affected areas were Kogi and Benue States. The floods were termed as the worst in 40 years, and affected an estimated total of seven million people. The estimated damages and losses caused by the floods was N2.6 trillion.

The following lists events that happened during 2012 in Nigeria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Benue State flooding</span> Major floods in Nigeria in 2017

The 2017 Benue State flooding took place in September 2017 in Benue State, Nigeria. It displaced at least 100,000 people, and damaged more than 2,000 homes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Niger floods</span> Flooding in Niger

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Natural disasters in Nigeria are mainly related to the climate of Nigeria, which has been reported to cause loss of lives and properties. A natural disaster might be caused by flooding, landslides, and insect infestation, among others. To be classified as a disaster, there is needs to be a profound environmental effect or human loss which must lead to financial loss. This occurrence has become an issue of concern, threatening large populations living in diverse environments in recent years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Africa floods</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate of Nigeria</span>

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Aminu Iya Abbas is a Nigerian politician who is the Senator for Adamawa Central. He was 2 terms Member of Adamawa State House of Assembly and served as Speaker of the Assembly between 2019 and 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drought in Nigeria</span> Climate changes in Nigeria

Long-term drought in Nigeria has resulted in desertification and a shortage of land for raising cattle and growing crops. To obtain land for farming or grazing, farmers and herdsmen are encouraged to go to new areas, which frequently leads to violence Herdsmen and farmers have been engaged in increasingly violent fights over the previous two years. More than 2,000 people lost their lives in 2018. However, many residents of the villages in Nigeria's Plateau State are unwilling to leave because they consider the region to be their home. When a community is burned down, new bricks are created to repair the destroyed homes.

References

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  5. "EnviroNews Nigeria". EnviroNews Nigeria. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
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  8. ALEX, Ehime (8 October 2023). "Flood looms in Benue, Kogi, other states as Cameroon releases Lagdo dam water – NEMA". The ICIR- Latest News, Politics, Governance, Elections, Investigation, Factcheck, Covid-19. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  9. Aworinde, Oluwatobi (8 October 2023). "Flooding: NEMA Alerts Adamawa, Edo, Taraba, Six Other States". Channels Television. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  10. "SUNDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2023 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd - Issuu". issuu.com. 8 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  11. https://nema.gov.ng/flood-early-warning-assessment-of-30th-august-2023-in-adamawa-state/
  12. "North-East Nigeria: Flood Incidents Report - October 2023 - Nigeria | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 13 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.