NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF FLOODS ON HUMAN AND THE ENVIRONMENT

 

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

In 2012, heavy rains and the release of water from Lagdo dam upstream River Benue in the Republic of Cameroon resulted into serious floods in Adamawa states, those areas located along the downstream of River Benue in Nigeria. Konwea (2012) described the flood as the worst floods Nigeria has seen in at least half a century, which has led to the deaths of hundreds of Nigerians, displaced over a million people, and destruction of hundreds of thousands of hectares of farmland. Most parts of the country have been affected, particularly in North eastern regions, with houses, bridges and roads devastated (Bashir, 2002). Many refugee camps were overcrowded with little or no aid materials, and some urban and sub urban areas now suffer from shortages of food staples (Nyerge 2009). Some predict the loss of farmlands will endanger Nigeria’s food security in the longer term, while others fear waterborne diseases which could spread to epidemic levels (Vanneuville et al. 2011).

The flood experienced in Adamawa State was widely reported to have resulted solely from the release of water from Lagdo Dam by the Cameroon Authorities (Adamawa State Government, 2012). The effect of the Lagdo dam spillway on the downstream has long been generally believed by the inhabitants as the major cause of Adamawa floods (Galtima and Bashir, 2002). However the 2012 Adamawa flood was believed to have resulted from the combination of Lagdo dam effect and rainfall intensity as evidenced by the narrow river valleys of the Benue in Nigeria in October 2008 and the wide expansion of the river valleys in the same period in 2012 (Mayomi et al, 2013). According to Adamawa State Government (2012), it was this excessive water due to heavy rains that forced the Cameroonian government to open the Spillways of Lagdo dam having sent warnings to Nigeria for the release of the water.

Moreover, through the Flood Early Warning Centre, Nigeria’ s Ministry of Environment (2012) issued a forecast of heavy rainfall in mid-September and warned of potential flooding in some paid of the country (Adamawa State inclusive)- It is against the foregoing that it is necessary to conduct a this research in the negative effects of floods on human and the environment.

Statement of the Problem

Flooding results into a lot of damages and the extent of damage varies from place to place. Nigeria has her share of flood events which has taken a toll on lives and properties. A lot of research has been carried out to ascertain the causes of flooding and different reasons have been identified, such include: dumping of refuse over the years has led to the filling up of ponds and blockages of other natural water ways or drainages; high intensity rainfall coupled with a gentle slope for water accumulation; dam failure coupled with almost bare surface; rapid rate of unplanned settlement leading to poor drainage system among many others. The spatial distribution of risks as well as the benefits of flood mitigation measures is rarely considered. Therefore, it is often unknown which area benefit most from a measure and which areas do not. In August 2011 and July 2013, flooding in Adamawa state claimed many lives and properties. A close look at this historical update shows that flooding and flood management has become one of the issues to contend with in this ancient city. This underscores the need for this study so as to find a reasonable solution, prevention and mitigation strategy for this menace. It is against this backdrop that this research on the negative effects of floods on human and the environment.

Objectives of the Study

The objectives of the study are:

1. To determine the nature of floods in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

2. To determine the causes of flooding in Yola North Local Government Area.

3. To determine the effects of flooding in Yola North Local Government Area 

3. 

Research Questions

1. What is the nature of flooding in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State?

2. What are the causes of flooding in Yola North Local Government Area?

3. What are the effects of flooding in Yola North Local Government Area?

1.5 Significance of the Study

The result of the study would be useful to the state Government in assessing ways of identifying flood vulnerability and possible methods of curbing the menace of flood. The study will give an understanding to the government in relation to the causes of flood in the study area. This would encourage planning, management. This study would help management of Adamawa State Ministry of Environment Yola, to employ desirable measures on to how reduce high vulnerability rate. This would be achieved when the management takes the necessary precaution while expecting it occurrence.

This study would serve as an empirical work for future researchers that may wish to carry out a study in a related topic.

1.6 Scope and Limitation

The research work tends to uncover the negative effects of floods on human and the environment in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa state.

The major limitation envisaged in this study is not unconnected to inadequate time, resources and logistics problems as well as lack of co-operation from some of the members of the association. The research is only limited to only Yola North Local Government of Adamawa State. 

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