2018 FLOOD in Sabagreia Town.
Sabagreia is a community in Kolokuma Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria. The name "Sabagreia" is said to be an anglicised form of "Seibokoroagha" which means "evil or an evil person does not come into the land."
Flood, an overflow of water, is no strange terror to a typical Niger Deltan. However, the underlying effects it may pose cannot be underestimated. Packing of properties, relocations, and a crowdy street, etc, are all cicatrics of flood.
2012 is known for its flood. Just within the twinkle of an eye, the waters came beckoning, and everyone was on their heels to hills of safety. The waters covered every land in Sabagreia. As a result, the inhabitants made solace and home on the few remarkably high roadsides.
No doubt, the 2012 flood came unnoticed in Sabagreia. Almost everyone didn't know it could suddenly flow so high.
Tamu-Isedani market road, Okoloba. October Flood 2018
I strongly believe the 2012 Flood, amongst its devastating circumstances, also came with some daring blessings that cannot be over emphasized.
It enhanced a better communal living: As a result of the dispersal of every household to hills of safety, a lot of families converged and lived together as though, an extended family. Social behavior as regards a communal benefits was also enhanced. Those who had gave to those who didn't.
Friendships were built. The flood forced different families to find solace at one point, and as a result, good friendship and mutual care were highly established.
Supply of food. The flood which at a glance was full of bitter truths, was not all bitter after all. The scarcity of food turned out to be a remarkable supply of food. The flood did not just come with water alone, but it came also with lots of fish such that one could get some at a Stone's throw from his place of refuge.
Fishing with matchetes during the night gained popularity during the 2012 Flood. One faithful night, myself and some boys went out in search for 'bush meat', it is recurrent to find bush animals also finding refuge at the outskirts of the community every flood season, and in any high land and island. As as such, hunters go directly to such high places and would come back home with more than enough bush meat.
So, in the same vain, we went out that right in search for bush animals taking refuge at the road sides. But surprisingly, instead of hunting animals, we ended up fishing when we realized fishes take their rest at the shores at night. With our matchets and torchlights, we caught enough fish for all those living with us in our place of refuge.
Sabagreia is a community in Kolokuma Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria. The name "Sabagreia" is said to be an anglicised form of "Seibokoroagha" which means "evil or an evil person does not come into the land."
Flood, an overflow of water, is no strange terror to a typical Niger Deltan. However, the underlying effects it may pose cannot be underestimated. Packing of properties, relocations, and a crowdy street, etc, are all cicatrics of flood.
2012 is known for its flood. Just within the twinkle of an eye, the waters came beckoning, and everyone was on their heels to hills of safety. The waters covered every land in Sabagreia. As a result, the inhabitants made solace and home on the few remarkably high roadsides.
No doubt, the 2012 flood came unnoticed in Sabagreia. Almost everyone didn't know it could suddenly flow so high.
I strongly believe the 2012 Flood, amongst its devastating circumstances, also came with some daring blessings that cannot be over emphasized.
It enhanced a better communal living: As a result of the dispersal of every household to hills of safety, a lot of families converged and lived together as though, an extended family. Social behavior as regards a communal benefits was also enhanced. Those who had gave to those who didn't.
Friendships were built. The flood forced different families to find solace at one point, and as a result, good friendship and mutual care were highly established.
Supply of food. The flood which at a glance was full of bitter truths, was not all bitter after all. The scarcity of food turned out to be a remarkable supply of food. The flood did not just come with water alone, but it came also with lots of fish such that one could get some at a Stone's throw from his place of refuge.
Fishing with matchetes during the night gained popularity during the 2012 Flood. One faithful night, myself and some boys went out in search for 'bush meat', it is recurrent to find bush animals also finding refuge at the outskirts of the community every flood season, and in any high land and island. As as such, hunters go directly to such high places and would come back home with more than enough bush meat.
So, in the same vain, we went out that right in search for bush animals taking refuge at the road sides. But surprisingly, instead of hunting animals, we ended up fishing when we realized fishes take their rest at the shores at night. With our matchets and torchlights, we caught enough fish for all those living with us in our place of refuge.
The Paramount Ruler of Sabagreia, Sir Boukumo Orukari's dwelling surrounded by water. October 2018 Flood.
Will the 2018 flood be bigger than the 2012 flood?
This is the very question that has flanked the thoughts of all and sundry in the community. Flood is known to be very very unpredictable, no one can actually tell the depth this water can beat, however, there are speculations from learned and observant persons from the community that this flood may not be as big as that of the 2012 Flood.
The statement, "man proposes and God disposes" may be the lot of this flood. Either ways, I strongly believe by God's infinite Grace and Mercy, it won't be devastating as the 2012's. This is because, at the time of this report, a lot of persons and families had already made necessary steps to take refuge in places.
As time does not wait for any man, so does Flood. As the days go by, so does the water level you see in photos above rise.