By Austin Isikhuemen.
In many parts of Nigeria, there is widespread confusion between two major environmental challenges,flooding and erosion. Often, when people experience heavy rainfall that inundates streets and homes, they refer to it as erosion, calling on the government to rescue them from what they believe is an erosion menace.
Yet, a closer look at their videos or pictures tells a different story,what they are actually experiencing is flooding, not erosion.
Erosion is a geological process where soil, rocks, and other surface materials are worn away and transported by agents such as water, wind, or ice. It often takes time to develop and is more permanent in its destructive impact,think of deep gullies and collapsing roadsides. Human activity like deforestation or improper land use can speed up this natural process.
Flooding, on the other hand, is the sudden overflow of water onto land that is typically dry. It often results from heavy rainfall, poor drainage systems, blocked waterways, or inadequate urban planning.
For example, the waterlogged roads in Benin City’s Uselu-Tomline area after a heavy downpour are due to flooding, not erosion. Similarly, the section of Boundary Road where Edo State’s current governor once stood during his campaign is not suffering from erosion,it is simply flooded.
Flooding and erosion are related, but not the same. While flooding can cause erosion,especially when fast-moving water carves out soil and deposits debris elsewhere,it’s crucial to identify the primary issue before seeking a solution.
Consider the severe gully erosion that once threatened Queen Ede Secondary School and Costain Road in Benin City. Those were clear cases of erosion caused by years of unchecked runoff and poor drainage. Thankfully, government intervention helped restore those areas.
One of the major drivers of both flooding and erosion is human negligence and poor planning. Some of the key issues include:
Poor Drainage Infrastructure: Roads built without proper gutters or water channels lead to water flowing randomly across the land, entering homes and damaging farms. This uncontrolled runoff can gradually cause erosion along its path.
Deforestation: Forests serve as natural sponges, absorbing rainwater and preventing runoff. When trees are cut down indiscriminately—as is happening in many parts of Nigeria—the land becomes more vulnerable to both flooding and erosion. Imagine flooding happening inside the Okomu Forest Reserve—it’s virtually impossible because of the dense vegetation cover.
Cultural Practices: In places like Esanland, traditional sweeping of the village square and clearing of pathways used to contribute to erosion by leaving the land bare. Today, the lack of planned drainage in newly built-up areas makes matters worse.
Unregulated Construction: Houses are now built directly on natural water channels, blocking the flow of runoff and increasing flood risks. Town planning agencies appear largely inactive or overwhelmed, and land sellers often parcel out roads along with the plots—leaving no space for future drainage infrastructure.
Waste Disposal Habits: The indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
Recognizing the difference between flooding and erosion is the first step toward addressing both effectively. With informed citizens and responsible planning, we can protect our communities from preventable environmental disasters.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
