Evaluation of Flood Management in Nigeria: A Case Study of Yauri Local Government Area, Kebbi State

Abstract

An evaluation of management in Nigeria with focus on Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State was carried out. The study made use of ASTER data of 2017 with spatial resolution of 30m, topographical map at a scale of 1:50,000, monthly rainfall data for 35 covering the study area and soil map at a scale of 1:50,000. Thematic maps for soil, rainfall and elevation were produced converted to raster data in GIS environment. Each data set in a single map was given weight by pair-wise comparison; reclassification of each map was done based on the weights generated from the pair-wise comparison of each dataset. The weights generated revealed that rainfall with 46 as its weight has the greatest influence on flood occurrences in the study area. Elevation accounted for weights of 24, slope accounted for 12 while drainage density, soil and LULC accounted for 10, 8 and 3 respectively. The settlements of Gumbi, Yauri, Unguwa Damisa, Zamare and Jijima that make up the study area lie along the zone of very high flood vulnerable land. Among the causes of flooding, excess rainfall and coastal location of the various settlements are responsible for flooding. Besides, the relief of the study area is such that encourage flooding as all the settlements are situated along the river course. The predominant coping and adapting strategies adopted to check flooding in the study area are temporary relocation and the raising of the floor of their houses among others.