THE USE OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IN FLOOD DISASTER FORECASTING FOR FLOOD DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN NORTHERN KATSINA STATE

Lawal Abdulrashid

doi:10.33003/fjs-2020-0404-504

Abstract

This study investigates the use of indigenous knowledge by the communities of semi-arid areas of Katsina state in forecasting/predicting the risk of flood disaster. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with purposefully selected respondents and focus group discussions. It was found that indigenous knowledge of disaster monitoring, prediction and early warning is based on the observation of behaviors of animals, birds, insects, shrubs, trees, wind, temperature, and cloud among others. The communities of northern Katsina state faces other natural disaster challenges, flood is among the major disaster risk experienced by the population and over the years they have evolved indigenous ways that helped them not only in predicting this natural disaster but also in devising techniques and mechanism of dealing with it. Documentation of disaster risk reduction information and development of disaster risk reduction policy was recommended to deal with the situation

Highlights

Flood disaster poses a serious threat to the environment in both urban and rural areas
Flood early warning system depends on the weather forecast and most African countries weather forecast is bedeviled with many problems including inadequate coverage of weather station, very poor facilities and the content of the forecast reports and channels used in the dissemination of the reports do not take cognizance of the farmers’ needs and is largely irrelevant at the local level
It is important to stress that recognition of the relevance of indigenous knowledge in achieving sustainable environmental management does not imply a complete rejection of modern technologies

Summary

Introduction

Flood disaster poses a serious threat to the environment in both urban and rural areas. Jain et al, (2018) claimed that between 1900 – 2006 floods accounted for nearly 50% of the total natural disasters, claiming 19% of the total fatalities and affected 48% of the total number of people affected by different forms of natural disasters They projected an increase in losses due to the effect of climate and land-use changes, deforestation, rising sea level, population increase in flood risk areas causing the number of people susceptible to flood disaster to increase globally. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2010) acknowledges that "indigenous and traditional knowledge may prove useful for understanding the potential for certain adaptation strategies that are costeffective, participatory and stainable’’ Such knowledge system and practice are being used to minimize the effect of flood disaster risk.

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Conclusion