Steemit Engagement Challenge S5-W2: Natural Disaster In my place [FLOODING]

Hello Steemians, it's good to be joining us for the second-week engagement challenge for season 5. My gratitude goes to Steem for Betterlife as they have us entertained with their weekly contest topic on Natural disasters.

Man and his environment which is made up of the activities inherent in them is also plagued with occurrences of natural mishaps. Natural disasters are mostly inevitable activities that ravage man's environment that is observed to come with the destruction of properties and sometimes death of both humans and animals.

My country just like every other country in the world also has received her fair share of this hazard. We've heard of the deadly heat waves and wide fires in California-US, the Flash floods in China that destroyed wanton of properties, and the deaths of humans and animals, my country has so far been bedeviled with incidences of Flood. It is no longer news that flooding has been in the top news of several news agencies in my dear country as its menace continues to devastate communities.

_{My Colleagues Flooded apartment in Bayelsa State, Nigeria}

Areas They Affect

Flood is no longer a new hazard that affects my dear country. It has become a new normal as it now has a yearly track record. States in the riverine areas are the most affected by these hazards. There has been an outcry by some of these states especially those in the niger delta areas with relatively high volumes of surrounding sea waters.

Each time there are heavy downpours of rainfall, there is usually a surge in the sea water level which in a bit to discharge some of these waters causes terrible flooding in its surrounding areas. Hence this has been destructive each time it happens.

How do they cause ruin?

The climatic condition at this time clearly shows the rainfall season in my country and hence this is the peak of it all. Areas around the riverine terrain are largely affected by the surge from these rivers. When this happens, there is a massive discharge of water from river banks which causes flooding. Most times this comes with the destruction of properties and the death of persons.

Sometimes we see obstruction done on passable roads and highways which inhibits vehicular movement for days. The last Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) scarcity observed in the federal capital territory a few days back was due to the obstruction caused by flooding along its major highway where truckloads heading to the city were cut off due to the flooded road.

_{Image of flooded road in my Town}

How are the people affected?

Flooding is one of the commonest natural disasters on this side of the divide. Hence, there have been concerns bothering on the inconveniences it has caused during its occurrence. Properties and lives are lost during most of these tragedies and most importantly, people are displaced from their homes.

The issue of flooding has constantly caused issues bothering refugees in the country. Thousands of citizens are displaced from their homes during this hazard and on the other hand, the government resorts to camping as an immediate palliative measure to housing these displaced persons.

Highlights of these effects

• Causes Homelessness
• Loss of Properties
• Loss of Human Lives
• Causes Untold hardship

_{Difficulty in using Vehicles after rainfall (flooded road)}

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The most probably cause of it

Flooding is either Man-made caused or occurs Naturally. In the case of Man-made, the activities of man that run contrary to waterways are especially observed from blocking waterways and drainages or building on waterways. The effects here cannot be overemphasized as this brings about the destruction of properties and in some cases loss of lives.

Other natural causes are observed from the surges from river banks for those living around the riverine areas. This might also have a touch of Man-made effect as some of these rivers are due for dredging which is neglected. Secondly, the fact that some of the neighboring communities are closer to these rivers, they easily become potential prey to those hazards each time they are triggered.

Was there a prior alert from the Government?

There are usually tip-offs and warnings from the government agency responsible for climate monitoring and management. This government agency gives a yearly assessment of weather reports with states having different levels of Red-alerts. But the good question here is, what is been done after this level of warning is done? It is not just enough to Issue warnings and red alerts.

What can you do in case of a situation like that?

It is ideal that people within these riverine areas with high possibilities of flood occurrence should relocate within the peak seasons. But the government has resorted to making refugee camps for their victims when the deeds have occurred rather than taking proactive measures to protect her citizenry.

Moving out residents of this community who are already prone to this disaster during this red alert period should be the government's top priority. As we all get a permanent solution to this menace should be in top gear than the yearly demand for aid after tragedy must have occurred.

Conclusion

Natural disasters are mostly out of human control but the element of human interventions are required to either ameliorate or reduce the rate of occurrence. Government should always put on actions that are capable of reducing the effects of occurrence with pre, during, and post-control measures in all states.

Thank you so much for bringing such a topic to our consciousness.

I am inviting @tenguhatanga, @frdquantum, and @whitestallion to participate.

Written by @xkool24