Public Perception of Flood Hazard in Kafanchan, Jama’a Local Government of Kaduna State

Abstract

Floods are the most common natural disaster and the leading cause of natural disaster fatalities worldwide. Risk of catastrophic losses due to flooding is significant given deforestation and the increasing proximity of large population to coastal areas, river basin and lakeshores. The study examines the causes of flooding, perception and various method of flood adjustment in the study area. Data on the public perception of flood were compiled using structure questionnaires purposive random sampling technique was used to identify households in 4 neighborhoods. Simple descriptive statistics was used to analyze data generated. It is confined that 31%of household fall with the age of 55 and above with education qualification up to tertiary education and on the awareness of flooding, 87% aware of the flood and 98% had experienced flood in the area. It is further reviewed that 34% of households were born in the area while 32 have accommodation problem. On the causes of flooding 82% recognized heavy and continues rainfall as the major causes of flooding. Majority of households (39%) agreed that flooding destroy farms food and cash crops while 24% mentioned that it destroy animals and properties and 64% pointed positive effects as it deposit fertile alluvial floodplain as well as fishing in the area as observed by 32%, construction of embankment to reduce flooding was identified by 39% and improve channel also observed by 20% as methods of adjustment. Expanded monitoring of floods, effective communication with civil authorities and vulnerable population has the potential to reduce loss of life in future flood events.