ASSESSMENT OF THE LEVEL OF FLOOD VULNERABILITY AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES IN SHIRORO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The Vulnerability of Communities to flood hazards has increased globally in recent times evident to climate related risk crises. This study assessed the level of flood vulnerability and mitigation strategies in Manta and Galadima Kogo Communities in Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria by extracting the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the study area and developing a flood risk vulnerability map. The data were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS version 20.0 software. The finding revealed that about 32.02% of the study area is highly vulnerable to flood, while, 10.40% are in no-risk zones. The DEM generated shows that South-Western part is on low elevation which fall between 0-173m above Mean Sea Level (MSL) and is an indication of high level of flood susceptibility, while the North- Eastern part with an elevation between 174-608 m above MSL and considered less vulnerable to flooding. The study identified a few mitigation strategies used by the communities to respond to flood disasters, such as moving away from flood-prone zones to higher ground, using other sources of income, and dry season farming. The study concludes that the communities are highly susceptible to floods, which causes the destruction of crops in the study area. The study therefore, recommends the adoption of early warning system and flood forecasting, as well as training of local volunteers, enacting an effective by-law to regulate indiscriminate deforestation along river banks and flood-prone zones and promoting of Indigenous Knowledge System for more effective flood mitigation strategies in the study area.