INVESTIGATION OF 2017 FLOODING EVENT IN NASSARAWA HAYI IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Floods is among the environmental problems with the most devastating effect in the world, which has claimed so many lives and destroyed more property than any other natural phenomena. Nassarawa Hayi have had incidences of flash floods in the pasts, the one of Saturday, the 8th of July, 2017 experienced has not been witnessed in its recent history. This study assesses flood damage and loss in Nasarawa Hayi, Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria. The study identifies and map out factors responsible for flooding event in the study area; Map the flood risk zones in the area and assess the damage to assets and infrastructure in the study area. Qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques was used, personal observation was made in the field, structured questionnaire was used, remote sensing data (QuickBird Imagery) was used. Field data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics while remote sensing data was subjected to digital image processing which involve digitizing, generating of contours map, Digital Elevation Model map and flood risk map. The findings reveal factors responsible for flooding in the area, it shows that 42% of the respondent agreed that flooding the area is caused by excessive Rainfall, 52.7% of the respondent agreed that Not well constructed drainage, building and farming along the flood plan area are the causes of flooding in the area. The digital Terrain Model of the area showed areas vulnerable to flood hazard. The risk zone was classified into three categories, namely high-risk zone, medium risk zone and low risk zone, using digital terrain model and distance. The areas on terrain elevations 55m -57m were categorized as high-risk zone with total coverage area of 55,920.10 m2. The medium risk zone was between 58m - 60m with total area coverage of 506,717.82 m2 while low risk zone was 61m - 65m with area of 131,960.16m2. The elements at the high-risk zone include residential buildings, a school building, and untarred roads among others. The elements at the moderate risk zone are uncultivated farmland, boats and humans while that of the low risk area are both cultivated and uncultivated farmlands, crops and economic trees. The study concludes that flooding cannot be completely avoided, as long as physical development extends to river channels traversing urban centers, but with effective flood prevention programmes, damages from severe flooding can be reduced if not eradicated. Thereby recommends that occupants and/or owners floodable areas aware of identified flood hazards and encourage individuals to take actions such as flood proofing and developing escape plans, to mitigate their flood potential.