Socioeconomic impacts of flooding and its coping strategies in Nigeria: Evidence from Dagiri community, Gwagwalada area council of Abuja

Abstract

Dagiri, a community in the Gwagwalada area council, has been ravaged by floods. The most recent which took place on 25th July 2020 was devastating and had severe impacts on the community. This study focuses on the socioeconomic implications of the 2020 flood in the Dagari community. To achieve the specific objectives, a number of methodologies were employed such as map analysis, questionnaire survey, oral interviews, and site observations. Presentation of results was done using percentages, tables, bar graphs, pie charts, and photos. The land cover is mostly residential with urban infrastructures. A flood hazard map was created from which analysis revealed that about 87% of the area is at risk of flooding, though the severity of vulnerability varies from low vulnerable areas to highly vulnerable risk zones. The socioeconomic impacts were duly measured using some sustainable development indicators, and the result revealed that flooding had numerous socio-economic impacts on the community, ranging from income, education, agriculture, sanitation, infrastructures, and properties. The coping strategies adopted by some community members were also very inadequate, while a high number of them are not employing any coping strategies at all. Therefore, we recommend regulated and scientifically coordinated aggregate mining from the river and relocation of households living in high-risk flood zones. The government should invest more in flood (disaster) management with the recent challenge of climate change.