Gully and Flooding in Anambra State: the Way Forward

Abstract

In Anambra state, there are more than 1,000 gully erosion sites out of which 600 are active. The state is inundated with flooding and blockage of major and minor drainages flood channels as a result of improper planning and design over the years. These have been identified as the major causes of the environmental woes of the study area. Flooding and gully erosion menace has reached crisis level in the state. From the perspective of domestic, social and economic life, the state accommodates over 6 million people daily as it houses one of the largest conglomerations of markets in Africa with intense commercial activities in every nooks and crannies. These activities contribute to drainage channels being blocked with solid wastes which lead to the flooding of street and highways during the rains. This result is uncontrolled flood water movement which has often resulted to gully erosions. This paper assesses the causative factors and proffers mitigation/abatement solution to the flooding and gully erosion menace in the state.

Keywords: Flooding, Gully erosion, Drainage system, Anthropogenic factors