Experiencing a natural disaster is obviously a bad feeling that is so easy to affect one's mental health. The recovery is not always so easy to handle, especially when lives, homes, and properties worth a big amount of money are lost. Unfortunately, this thing kept tormenting the world from time to time.
Here in my country, Nigeria, I haven't heard of or experienced some natural disasters like volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tornadoes, but then flooding and wildfires have been causing damage to lives and properties over here. Flooding is one of the most devastating natural hazards in Africa. claiming more lives and causing more property damage and controlling it is just so difficult to think of.
Personally, I am fortunate enough not to have experienced any of these natural disasters, but my uncle and his family were in this mess a few years ago. They lived in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, back then. A state known as water land, just like Lagos State, Nigeria, where I live. This state is full of water, and each rainy season, flooding usually claims properties and lives as well.So my uncle and his family were unfortunate to experience severe flooding in their apartment. It happened at midnight, and the struggle to evacuate the house with the kids was real. You know that moment when all that matters is just life? That was the situation that night. The flood comes with so much speed, opening its mouth to swallow humans if care is not taken. In fact, if you lack swimming skills, you may lose your life. My uncle, before the flood became so severe, was able to move out his children and his wife far away from their home. Sadly, the flood claimed all the properties and documents inside the house. One thing about those documents was that each of them was scanned and saved on Google Drive by my uncle prior to this natural disaster, and so he didn't have to worry about that. It was a big lesson I learned after the ugly incident. No one knows tomorrow; things can unfold at any time, take us unaware, and cause us pain. At least having copies of our documents saved on the air is one thing I feel everyone should start adopting such a lifestyle in case of uncertainties.
There have been cases of reported flooding in Bayelsa State, and my uncle, upon recovery of his lost properties, gradually planned and relocated to another state free from flooding. However, what about those who cannot afford to relocate?
I believe that efforts can be made in managing disaster and applying prevention strategies to Reducing the impacts of natural and man-made disasters is very vital for the good of lives in our society.
This post was inspired by the #inleo community and my entry to the #februaryinleo monthly topic Day 9.Please check out the prompt to get involved.
Images were taken from canva app