Flood Vulnerability and Mitigation Strategies of Communities in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

One of the major approaches to flood management in Nigeria is through mapping of various areas through the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) and its techniques in creating flood vulnerability map of an area which is important for the development of mitigation strategies. The study accessed the flood vulnerability and mitigation strategies of communities in Delta State, Nigeria. Through series of physical environment domains such as relief, proximity to active river channels, landuse/land cover, soil texture, and elevation, flood vulnerability of Delta state was established at town/communities’ level. The finding revealed that 281 (40.67%) communities have low vulnerability, 328 (47.47%) communities have high vulnerability and 82 (11.87%) communities have high vulnerability to flood events. Also, communities raised their house foundation as mitigation measures supported by Government provision of drainage system while both measures were perceived effective. There is need for effective collaboration between the Delta State government and the national, state and local agencies for development of flood policy plan towards flood disaster management in the state.