As severe flooding continues to ravage multiple states across Nigeria, stakeholders have raised concerns about a looming outbreak of waterborne diseases. The flooding has displaced thousands of families, submerged homes, and left critical infrastructure in ruins. Among the most pressing concerns is the potential for a rapid spread of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery due to contaminated water sources.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had previously warned of possible flooding in key states, but the scale of devastation has exceeded initial projections. So far, severely states have experienced severe inundation. Displaced residents are being housed in overcrowded camps, where access to clean drinking water, sanitation, and healthcare is limited.
Water sources across flood-affected regions have become breeding grounds for pathogens, as floodwaters mix with sewage, garbage, and industrial pollutants. Residents in many areas now rely on unsafe water for drinking and cooking, increasing their vulnerability to infections. Meanwhile, the minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr.
Joseph Terlumun Utsev, recently alerted on the probable river flooding on rivers Niger and Benue and some of their tributaries, stating that large volume of water was moving through rivers down to the Niger Delta region. The minister, therefore, called for vigilance on all ramifications and proactive measures to address any eventual flooding events in the southern part .