Remote Sensing and GIS Assessment of Flood Vulnerability of Nigeria's Confluence Town

Abstract

Lokoja, the Kogi state capital, is located at the Niger-Benue confluence. Hazards erupt when human activities in the confluence area are not properly managed. This article uses the Remote Sensing and GIS technique to assess the flood vulnerability zones of the town using the bench mark minimum and maximum water level from the year 1995 to 2005. Land-use/land-cover and flood vulnerability maps were generated from the satellite imageries of Landsat (TM/ETM) of 1987, 1992, 2001 and Nigeria Sat 1 of 2006. The ortho-photo map and the image drape generated clearly shows that development along the marine road and the new Filele mini-dual carriage road are within the floodable areas of the river confluence. The study recommended an integrated approach in managing the confluence zone. In addition, major development activities should be concentrated on the South-western part of Lokoja.

Keywords: Confluence, remote sensing, urbanization, vulnerability