Socio-Economic Effect of Flooding in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State Using GIS Technique

Abstract:

Over the years, flooding has affected numerous aspects of the lives of the people in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area. The study aimed at assessing the effects of flood on socio-economic activities in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State using GIS techniques. The study employed questionnaires, oral interviews, personal observations and descriptive statistics to analyse data using pie charts and graphs to present data. ArcGIS 10.1 was used to analyse the flood vulnerability using LandSat images. The flood vulnerability analysis of Karim-Lamido indicates that about 80% of the area is flood vulnerable and the major stream order in Karim-Lamido is between 3-5. Results also revealed that rainfall received annually in the area and the proneness of the area to flood. In addition, loss of agricultural products, properties and lives were revealed as some of the negative effects of flooding in the study area. The result also revealed that the major effects of flood are the washing away of the community’s farms lands and their businesses equipment. Furthermore, the researchers recommend that the resettlement scheme programs should be embarked on by the government to resettle most of the communities in the study area. Additionally, for good area planning, individuals, corporate entities, and the government should provide adequate funding for disaster management organisations. Furthermore, a local flood warning system needs to be created. This will go a long way towards educating and preparing the people of Karim-Lamido for major flooding.