IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF AREAS LIABLE TO FLOOD WITHIN GREATER YOLA, ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA
Zarma, I. J., Sangari, D. U. & Ogah, A. T.
Department of Geography
Nasarawa State University, PMB 1022, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Email: jzarma1829@gmail.com, dusangari@yahoo.com and ogahadamu@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: Globally, disasters are said to have devastating effect on economic development, livelihoods, agriculture, and health, social and human life. Flood disaster is not a recent phenomenon in Nigeria and its destructive tendencies are sometimes enormous. This study Identification and Classification of Areas Liable to Flood within Greater Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. The research design that was employed used both quantitative and qualitative methods. The study found that area is made up of both larger and smaller watersheds with river Benue serving as the major pour point; this is the point on the surface within the study area at which water flows out. The landform of the study area is generally grouped into valley and troughs, upland, plains, lowlands and hills/mountain ranges. The vegetation formations of Adamawa State like most northern States are generally of the savannah type. The study also discovered that the soil formation of the study area is regosol, and the area is well drained by many rivers and most of them are seasonal. The main river is River Benue which cut across Greater Yola. The study also found out that areas that are 0-7km off River Benue are highly vulnerable to flooding. It was also discovered that agriculture and settlements are the land use/land cover mostly affected by flood in the study area. The study found out that the heavy rainfall in the study area usually within the month of June, July and August at an average of 194.2mm, 224.2mm and 198.2mm account for the major cause of flooding in the area. The study further found out that the damage and destruction of properties are the most prominent effects of flood in Greater Yola
Keywords: Flood, climate, rainfall, river Benue, and vulnerability.
