The Consequences of Flood on Occupational Trips Duration and Flood Risk Assessment of Aba North Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to identify the implication of poor drainage on socio-economic activities in Aba North Local Government Area (L.G.A). The objectives of the study include the identification of the causes and types of flooding in the study area; assessment of the effect of flooding on duration of trips for occupational purposes;  determination of the effect of flooding on residential household properties and structures;  execution of  a Geographical Information System (GIS) based flood risk analysis (FRA) of the study area; and  provision of solutions to identified problem from the study. Relevant information was gathered from the literature review related to the study. The survey research method was also adopted. A total of 313 copies of the questionnaire were randomly distributed to respondents in 4 out of 9 communities for primary data collection. Also 41 willing to participate  traders  were monitored for trips duration to business premises from home on flood and non- flood days within Aba North LGA. A Flood Risk Map (FRM) of Aba North, Aba South and Osisioma LGAs indicating flood prone zones was adopted for the study. The flood risk map shows that most of the settlements considered are located in and around the capital city, around the center of the study area. Flood vulnerable areas were indicated in the flood risk map. The null hypothesis (H_o) which states that “there is no statistically significant difference between duration of trips to work on flood days and non-flood days” was accepted. This outcome was unexpected and contradicts oral interview findings. The results also indicate that poor drainage, poor waste disposal and prolonged rainfall are the major causes of flooding, which results in destruction and reduction in the financial values of landed properties, reduction in residential housing and environmental quality, as well as considerable level of disruption of trips from home to business locations. Recommendations proffered include, the prohibition of refuse dumping into run-off channels and urban development control by government, in areas liable to flooding.

KEY WORDS: Flood, Occupational Trips Duration, Flood Risk Assessment, Geographical Information Systems, Environmental Hazards