Flood, Causes and Coping Strategy in Abakaliki Area, South Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Flooding, a geo environmental hazard is recorded every year in most region of the world. Inundations by extreme floods cannot be totally avoided and maybe with the effect of climate change their occurrence will increase. Insensitivity to its occurrence invokes an imminent disaster. Absolute protection is both unachievable and unsustainable, because of high costs and its inherent uncertainties. Nevertheless, abilities to mitigate flood disasters, cope with and recover from the effects are attainable but needs urgent attention. This evolves a well thought-out strategies and adaptation measures which can be adopted by all especially in the flood prone areas. Localized flooding occurs many times a year in many but mostly in informal and mismatched settlements such as those in the study area. There, are few drains (or those that exist are blocked), most of the ground is highly compacted, paved and pathways between dwellings become streams after heavy rain. Urban land use allocation has all along been begged on economic factors devoid of environmental concerns which play a vital role for sustainable urban development. Structural and non-structural measures are adopted as a control, mitigation and coping strategies to ameliorate flood impacts.