Steemit Engagement Challenge S5-W2: Natural Disaster In My Place

Natural disasters are quite common in the world, every country must at one time or another experienced these hazards. The most common in my country (Nigeria) and my State (Kogi State) is Flood

WHAT IS FLOOD?

Simply defined, flooding occurs when water covers an area that is often dry. Both positive and bad effects might result from flooding. They can provide much-needed respite for individuals and ecosystems suffering from protracted drought, but they are also thought to be Nigerias most expensive natural disaster.

The amount, timing, and location of rain that falls on our catchments can affect how much and where a flood occurs.

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Over the past few months flood has been on a continuous rampage in my environment, the increase in the waters has caused so much damage to lives, goods and properties. It has also affected the standard of living in the affected areas

CAUSES

Flooding is caused by varying factors in different countries, to some it may be rapid melting of snow, to some it may be due to heavy rainfall, but these are not the cause of the flood happening in my environment. It is caused by the release of excess water from the dam. To avoid overfilling the dams beyond capacity, the waters in these dams are released from time to time (sometimes yearly)

AFFECTED AREAS

The areas that are mostly affected by the flood are areas that are close to flowing rivers, the released waters over flood the river banks gushing into houses and flooding roads

EFFECTS

Below are the negative side effects of the flood in my environment

HIKE IN THE COST OF TRANSPORTATION:

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Although this is not the major effect of the flood in my environment, this has left most persons stranded by road sides. For instance, I used to transport to the park with just N70 in Nigeria currency before the flood, but just last week, I had to spend N500 before getting to the park this is because I would have to take commercial bike to a point, take a boat across the flooded area finally take a tricycle (popularly referred to as keke) to the park.

INCREASE IN THE COST OF FOOD:

Because of the flood, importation of food stuffs to my location has become more difficult and so the traders increase the cost of the foodstuffs to avoid running on losses

LOSS OF SHELTER:

This is the most devastating effect of this flood in my location, the flood haven taken over the homes of people, the affected persons would have to evacuate the environment, most persons left homeless, some sleep under the bridge while some sleep in primary schools

LOSS OF LIFE:

So many persons have lost their lives as a result of this flood, some get bitten blood reptiles that accompany the flood, some drown during evacuation, some persons were even electrocuted by electric wires that fell into the water

POSSIBLE REMEDY

Prior to the release of dams, the government should make provision for centres where affected persons will take refuge, this will go a long way to reduce the suffering of the persons that will be affected by the flood. Food should be made available by government to farmers in the affected areas as the flood will wash away their crops.