Concerns As Floods Set Stage For Waterborne Disease Surge

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 of the country.

He noted that the flood disaster that affected Maiduguri and Jere areas of Borno State was largely due to overflow of water from Alau Dam which is about 10 kilometers from Maiduguri city centre owing to massive inflow from Ngadda river, a major tributary of River Yedzaram.

“As we mourn the losses in Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi and other states affected by flooding, the attention of Nigerians is hereby drawn to the probable river flooding on rivers Niger and Benue and some of their tributaries.

“The daily flow on these rivers indicates significant increase in flow levels tending towards RED alert. This warning means that large volume of water is moving through our rivers down to the Delta region,” he stated.

The minister has also raised concern over contamination of water and impending outbreak of waterborne diseases.

He said “It should be noted however, that as we try to recover from this disaster, the water we drink may be contaminated, we should please be mindful of this, so as to avoid further outbreak of waterborne and communicable diseases.”

In the same vein, the Nigerian Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has expressed alarm over the rising cases of waterborne diseases, saying “With the ongoing floods, we are already seeing a spike in infections, especially in areas with poor sanitation infrastructure. Contaminated water supplies, coupled with limited healthcare access in many affected areas, make it almost certain that we’ll face a major outbreak if immediate action is not taken.”

The organisation highlighted the potential for the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea in the aftermath of the floods.

Director – general of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, emphasised the need for a preventive approach to handling the potential health crises that could follow the flooding.

He said “People often focus on containing the immediate cause of floods, but the consequences, including diseases, come later and need to be addressed proactively.”

The NCDC boss, however, revealed that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is set to hold an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) meeting with the NCDC and other relevant agencies to strategise on how to manage the potential health risks.

As Nigeria battles yet another flooding crisis, the health and safety of millions hang in the balance, with urgent intervention needed to avert an impending disaster.