Flood risks factors and their prevalence in some selected local government areas of Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Flood in Auyo and Miga local government areas is worrisome. The location of large parts of the study area is lying on the northern bank of Hadejia River, and many communities are at risk of flood hazard. This study is aimed at assessing flood risk factors in the vulnerable communities of Auyo and Miga LGAs, Jigawa State of Nigeria. A sample size of 666 respondents were drawn for self-administered questionnaire, 601 were fully completed. Data collected were analyzed descriptively for Relative importance index (RII). Findings revealed that, the current trend in the frequency of flood was on the increase, and the year 2012 (59%) and 2018 (61%) marked the worst with floods occurring four times. The major causes of flood were heavy rains (with RII of 4.890), overflow of river/stream with RII of 4.866, rainstorm, (with RII of 4.890), long period of rainfall (with RII of 4.805), steep side channels (4.785 of RII) and mystical beliefs (RII of 3.86). Man-made major factors were discovered to include; deforestation (with RII of 4.389) and lack of flood embankment, (RII of 4.316). Others were: poor waste disposal (RII of 3.915), lack of drainage network (with RII of 3.840), and development and infrastructure in flood-prone areas with RII of 3.733. It is recommended that, proper embankment protection and water regulatory outlets should be made available. Delineate flood risk zones before carrying out construction activities, or rather impose resettlement outside the flood prone areas.