Global Journal of Human-Social Science, B: Geography, Environmental Science and Disaster Management, Volume 22 Issue 3

Assessment Household Vulnerability to Flood Disaster: A Study of Oweto Community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria Patricia Ali α , Monday Akpegi Onah σ , Odeh Adimanyi ρ & Paul Tarzoho Ѡ Abstract- Flood disasters are anticipated to happen more frequently in the future due to climate change, unplanned rapid urbanization, change in land use pattern, poor watershed management with attendant impact and vulnerability. This study therefore assessed household vulnerability to flood disasters in Oweto community, Agatu Local Government of Benue State, Nigeria. The study sampled 400 respondents for the purpose of data collection on vulnerability factors and indicators using structured questionnaire. Principal Component Analysis was used to generate weights of vulnerability factors (Exposure, Adaptive Capacity and Sensitivity) and their corresponding indicators so as to avoid the uncertainty of equal weighting given the diversity of indicators used. The result indicates that Oweto community is very vulnerable to flood disasters with a Composite Flood Vulnerability Index (CFVI) of -0.347. In terms of individual vulnerability factors, the result indicates a moderate adaptive capacity index of 4.513; high sensitivity or susceptibility index of 3.655 and relatively high exposure index of 1.205 respectively. The study recommends that concerted efforts be made to relocate households living in close proximity to River Benue and its tributaries so as to reduce flood risks and impact resulting from high exposure and sensitivity levels. Keywords: climate change, disaster, flood, household, vulnerability. I. I ntroduction loods are anticipated to happen more frequently in the future because of climate change, unplanned rapid urbanization, change in land use pattern, poor watershed management and decline in recharge of groundwater by extension of impermeable surfaces particularly in urban areas (Hajar, Mohd and Thamer. 2016). This follows that, many communities living close to rivers and on wetlands (urban or rural communities) globally are at the risk of flood disasters with attendant adverse impacts resulting from varying degrees of vulnerability (Hajar, Mohd and Thamer. 2016; Ali, 2018, Ali, Onah, Mage, Yiyeh, Tarzoho, and Iorhuna, 2022). Managing floods with the objectives of ensuring safety and wellbeing of people, and reducing risks and impacts on livelihoods would require adequate knowledge of vulnerability. This is because flood vulnerability is defined in probability terms which shows the degree of susceptibility and exposure to damage resulting from disaster in an area or population, as well as the human ability to resist or adapt. In other words, against a flood occurrence, the amount of damage depends on the area's characteristics and de mographic makeup (Mohammad, Hesam, Mohsenand Hossein, 2020), which is defined by the level of exposure and susceptibility and the resilience capacity. The need to assess flood vulnerability is further underscored by the fact that it is usually location dependent since vulnerability to flood disaster varies over time in places due to environmental conditions, human activities, and the culture of affected society (Ahmad and Simonovic, 2013; Ali, Onah, Mage, Yiyeh, Tarzoho, and Iorhuna, 2022). Over the last 20 years, Flood Vulnerability Index (FVI) has proven to be a useful tool in assessing or analysing vulnerability to flood disasters by households and communities. This is because Flood Vulnerability Index (FVI) indicates the extent of harm, which can be expected under certain conditions of exposure, susceptibility and resilience (UNESCO-IHE, 2022). Also, according to UNESCO-IHE (2022), human population worldwide is vulnerable to natural disasters, and in recent years, the impacts of floods have gained importance because of the increasing amount of people who are exposed to its adverse effects. Therefore the aim of vulnerability studies is to recognize correct actions that can be taken to reduce vulnerability before the possible harm is experience. FVI is a powerful tool for policy and decision-makers to prioritize investments and makes the decision making process more transparent. Identifying areas with high flood vulnerability and understanding the extent of vulnerability may guide the decision making process towards a better way of dealing with floods by societies. Oweto is an important agrarian community in Agutu Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria and is reputed for massive production of rice due to its location on vast floodplains of the River Benue. Inspite of its agricultural significance in terms of rice production and fishing, floods of varying magnitudes and severity have been a yearly event which underscores the need to assess the extent of vulnerability. This will no doubt help in targeted interventions that would reduce flood risks and impact in the study area. Moreover, efforts have not F © 2022 Global Journals Volume XXII Issue III Version I 37 ( ) Global Journal of Human Social Science - Year 2022 B Author α σ ρ : Department of Geography, Benue State University, Makurdi. e-mails: patriciaali07@yahoo.com, aonah@bsum.edu.ng, odehadimanyi@yahoo.com Author Ѡ : Department of General Studies, Taraba State College of Health Technology, Takum. e-mail: paultarzoho@gmail.com