Developing A Subject Plan For Mapping Flood Prone Areas In Nigeria (Case Study Of Abuja, The Federal Capital Territory)

Abstract

A flood is an annual event that submerges buildings and its destructive tendencies are sometimes enormous claiming lives and properties annually. Floods occurrence in Nigeria are caused by extensive rainfall, drainage blockages and dam failures which subsequently overflow to other lowland areas. The increase in urbanization makes the land impervious to surface runoff during rainfall, rendering populations vulnerable to water inundation due to failure of natural streams and man-made drainage. Floods occur in Nigeria in three main patterns: coastal flooding, river flooding and urban flooding. The common type of flood occurring in the North Central Nigeria is the Pluvial flood and is known as invisible hazard, it occur  as a result of  short duration and high intensity rainfall flowing into water course and drainage channels. Urban pluvial flood occurs everywhere and it has the ability to damages and severe destruction in the urban areas which happens frequently. Flooding is therefore a perennial problem in Nigeria that consistently causes deaths and displacement of communities. Pluvial and Urban pluvial flood are the common flood types  in Abuja which occurs annually due to heavy  rainfall submerging buildings, affecting road pavements,  and loss of lives. The areas worst affected by flood in Abuja are locations within Trademoore , Lokogoma, Gaduwa, Gudu, Dogon Gada, Damangaza, Lugbe and Gwagwalada. The study therefore seeks to assess flood occurrence in Nigeria and to prepare a subject plan for the mapping and control of flood prone areas, using Abuja FCT as a case study.  Research methodology adopted for the study includes; the survey method, Interview, personal observation, base maps, satellite imageries and literature review. The study involves the use of GIS applications and other support tools as the research instrument. The study also revealed the sizes and locations of water reservoirs /dam  within the Federal Capital Territory and dams located in others states at proximity with the possibility of causing flood in the FCT. The dams/ water reservoirs requires dredging, building along the floodplains should be regulated, drainages should be free from blockages of waste disposals, retention walls should be erected in flood prone areas and the general public should be sensitized on flood safety, prevention and mitigation.