Resisting the annual horrors of flooding 

The rainy season has once again exposed Nigeria’s longstanding vulnerabilities. Streets are inundated,

homes are damaged and drainage systems are overwhelmed. More troubling, a surge in preventable waterborne diseases is sweeping across the country. Cholera has been reported in 34 states, yellow fever in six, and dengue fever has been confirmed in Edo State. These outbreaks underline the persistent weaknesses in sanitation infrastructure, access to safe water and preparedness planning.

Flooding itself is rarely the direct cause of widespread loss of life. The greater threat emerges when contaminated water infiltrates communities, bringing a wave of infections that strain already fragile health systems. This pattern repeats year after year, despite early warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

For 2025, NiMet’s forecasts identified Sokoto, Kaduna, Zamfara, Yobe and parts of the Federal Capital Territory as high-risk areas. Yet many of the measures needed to mitigate these risks, such as clearing drainage channels, stocking emergency medical supplies and deploying rapid response teams, were either delayed or insufficient.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported over 1,500 suspected cholera cases, with dozens of confirmed fatalities. The victims are overwhelmingly those least able to withstand such outbreaks: children, expectant mothers and the elderly. These illnesses are neither inevitable nor unpredictable. They thrive where clean water is scarce, drainage infrastructure is underdeveloped and preventive healthcare measures are not prioritised.

To reduce this seasonal health toll, state governments must strengthen preparedness and ensure that contingency plans lead to practical action. Emergency medical supplies should be pre-positioned in at-risk communities, vaccination campaigns launched before the rains intensify and local health workers trained to respond swiftly to outbreaks. Governors of flood-prone states need to lead from the front, ensuring their agencies can act rapidly when forecasts turn into reality.

Federal agencies also have a pivotal role. The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) must intensify disease surveillance, distribute testing kits widely and coordinate vaccination drives, particularly in remote or underserved areas. Clear, consistent communication about risks and available services can build trust and encourage communities to seek timely care.

Addressing these recurring outbreaks calls for both immediate and long-term measures. Investment in sustainable water supply systems, robust drainage and proper waste management is critical. Flood-control infrastructure must be built to specification, with contractors held accountable for delivery. 

Transparency is key: state governments should make their disaster preparedness and response plans public, detailing where residents can access clean water, medical treatment and preventive services.

Community engagement is equally important. Public health campaigns that teach households how to protect water sources and maintain sanitation can significantly reduce infection rates. Collaboration with civil society and local leaders can amplify these messages and encourage participation in preventive programmes.

Repeated cycles of preventable outbreaks should not be an accepted feature of the Nigerian rainy season. A more coordinated and transparent approach, backed by sustained investment and political will, can protect communities from the health risks that accompany seasonal flooding.

By strengthening infrastructure, improving planning and prioritising public health, Nigeria can break this damaging pattern and build greater resilience for the years ahead.