Influence of climate variability and change on natural hazard in selected states in northern Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the climate variability and change using temperature record (1951-2014) over Kano, Maiduguri, and Sokoto to depict the spatiotemporal influence on natural hazards across the states. Shiroro hydrologic records for thirty seven years (1975-2012) were collected and analyzed in addition, 300 structured questionnaires were administered to the residents of Gurmana downstream settlement for the purpose of generating their responses arising from flooding and its related problems. The result affirmed temperature changes between 1950 - 1981 and 1982 – 2014; it reveals positive changes in April mean, maximum and minimum temperature values of between 0.4 to1.5°C across the study area. Similarly, the observed oscillation and positive trend of inflow and outflow from shiroro reservoir constitute a major and unprecedented shift in stream flow across the downstream communities. Intensified warmer temperature, inflow and discharge trends have continued to aggravate seasonal rainfall related hazards which are threats to sustainability of human livelihood across most rural communities. Consequently, there is need for systematic development and application of policies, strategies and adoption of best practices as pathway towards disaster risk reduction.