ABSTRACT
The
main aim of the research is to determine the major causes for the recent
incidence of flooding in uyo, the study made use of primary data from the
information obtained from the distribution of research questionnaire. The study
made use of a total population of 100. The sample of 40 was considered for the
study, the data hypothesis was analyzed using the chi-square method. The study
concluded that there
is frequent flooding in Uyo metropolis. Proper recommendation were made to
assist both the state, the federal government of Nigeria and the people of akwa
ibom state on decision making and socio economic development process.
TABLE
OF CONTENT
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Background
of study
1.2 Statement
of problems
1.3 Objectives
of Research
1.4 Scope
and limitations
1.5 Research
questions
1.6 Significance
of study
1.7
Definition of Terms
CHAPTER TWO
2.1
Introduction
2.2.1 Flooding
2.2.2 Socio-Economic Effects Of Flooding
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Introduction
3.1 research design
3.2 population of study
3.3 sample size/sample technique
3.4 research instrument:
3.5 validity and reliability of instrument
3.6 sources of data collection
3.7 method/techniques of data analysis
3.8 limitations of the methodology
CHAPTER FOUR
Data Presentation and
Analysis
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Data
Analysis
4.3
Test of Hypothesis
CHAPTER
FIVE
5.1 Findings
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
5.5 References
5.6
Appendix
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Flood
is the overflow of water into an environment that is normally dry thereby
causing inundation and harm to plants and animals, including man. Its harm can
be extended to man’s buildings and infrastructures (Udosen, 2011). Most flood
definitions include damage they cause and depend on their sources or types and
magnitude. In the case of flood resulting from rivers, Ating (2003) defines it
as a relatively high flow which overtakes the natural channels provided for
run–off as well as a high stream which overtops its natural or artificial
banks. Wolf (1965) also describes flood as high rate of discharge in water
sources and the inundation of normally dry lands. West (1991) further states
that flood is a body of water which rises to overflow its banks or low- lying
areas. All over the world, flood is known to cause great damage to people’s
lives, belongings and properties. Flood causes one third of deaths, one third
of all injuries and one third of all damage from natural disasters (Askew, 1999
and Etuonovbe, 2011). This damage is normally felt by various “receptors” being
people, buildings, infrastructure, agriculture, and open recreational spaces.
Even social and emotional costs from flooding are significant and are often
widespread and indiscriminate in flooded areas. They include displacement from
homes, loss of personal valuables, fear and insecurity caused by such
experience. The economy can be serially affected by flooding as businesses may
lose patronage, stock, data and productivity. Tourism, farming and livestock
can equally be affected. Utilities and transport infrastructure can be rendered
inefficient by flood. Portable water supplies may be contaminated in a flood
which has immediate health effects upon human beings and animals. Other vital
infrastructures may also be damaged just like the loss of electricity
experienced in Britain in 2007 summer floods (RIBA, 2009). Even in a developed
country such as the United Kingdom, the Association of British Insurers has
estimated the cost of the July, 2007 flooding, in insurance claims alone at
over 3 billion pounds (RIBA, 2011). The pattern of flooding is similar in all
parts of the world. In Nigeria for instance, flooding has forced millions of
people out from their homes, destroyed businesses, polluted water sources, and
increased the risk of diseases (Baiye, 1988, Akinyemi, 1990, Nwaubani, 1991 and
Edward- Adebiyi, 1997). a) Sources of flooding Generally, there are six
recognized sources of flooding namely: tidal flooding, fluvial flooding, ground
water, pluvial flooding, flooding from sewers and flooding from man – made
infrastructure. Ø
Tidal Flooding Sea and river defenses may be overtopped by a combination of low
pressure weather systems and high tides. Its duration is limited by the cycle
of the tides where drainage is available. Fluvial Flooding - When rainfall or
snow occurs in rivers, the capacity is exceeded and as a result, there is a
rising water level which can in turn overflow into the floodplains close to the
river. Ground Water - As ground water levels rise, low lying area sitting over
aquifers may flood. This type of flood is mainly seasonal and slow. Pluvial
Flood -Refers to surface water from rainwater – run-off mainly from urban or
rural land that has low absorbency. As developments increase in urban areas,
land surfaces increase in their areas of non-permeable surfaces and combines
into intense rainfall which gives rise to localized flooding. Flooding from
Sewers occurs where there are faulty sewers or where sewage capacity is
exceeded normally due to large surface water runoff over a short time. Flooding
from Man – made Infrastructure occurs when man-made structures like canals and
reservoirs fail resulting in flooding areas downstream (RIBA 1999).
1.2 Statement
of the Problem
Although
floods can happen at any time during the year, there are some typical seasonal
patterns for flooding in Uyo Local Government Area, based on the variety of
natural processes that cause floods. Rainy Season floods are produced by heavy
rainfall on wet ground which penetrates into lands which were previously dry
and causes a lot of damages to people and properties.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The
main thrust of this study has been to assess the immediate and remote causes of
frequent flooding in Uyo metropolis. Specifically, it aims to;
1.
Determine the major causes which may be more responsible for the recent
incidences of flooding in Uyo city.
1.4 Research Questions
1. What are the causes of frequent flooding in Uyo
metropolis?
1.5 Research Hypothesis
Ho:
There is no frequent flooding in Uyo metropolis.
Hi:
There is frequent flooding in Uyo metropolis.
1.6 Significance of the Study
This
study will help to determine the causes which may be responsible for the recent
incidences of flooding in Uyo city. To be able to do this successfully, a
number of physical flood characteristics were evaluated. These critical
physical characteristics include:
a)
Depth of water
b)
Duration of inundation
c) Area of inundation
d)
Velocity of flow
e)
Frequency – recurrence relations
f)
Floodtime (Flood time lapse or flood-to-peak interval)
g)
Seasonality
h)
Peak flood
i)
Rate of discharge increase and decline.
j)
Sediment load and
k)
Total flood run-off volume.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The study focuses on the causes of
excess flood in Uyo Local Government Area, AkwaIbom state, Nigeria. UyoLocal
Government Area is used as the case study for this research due to the
incessant flood occurrence in Uyo during raining seasons and her representative
nature to other flood prone areas.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
The
area of study is Uyo metropolis. This metropolis is situated in Uyo Local
Government Area. It is highly urbanized, virtually all parts of Uyo lie within
the Capital City Development Area (UCCDA). The study however has some
limitations most especially in the area of data collection. Financial
constraints as well as time available for the completion of the study are among
other factors that would limit the scope of the study.
1.9 Definition
of Terms
Flood:An overflow of a large amount of
water beyond its normal limits, especially over what is normally dry land.
UyoLGA:Is the capital of AkwaIbom State in
Nigeria.
REFERENCES
Ating,
E. E., (2003). “Environmental and Ecological Problems of Nigeria”.Journal of
Environment and Ecology. Abuja Vol. 1 pp. 1-30. 3.
Baiye
,E. (1988). “Numan in the throes of Floods”.The Guardian, Thursday October 8,
pp.9. 4.
Durotoye,
B. (1999). “Human Occupation of Hazard Areas in Nigeria in: Oshuntokun, A.(ed)
Environmental Problems of Nigeria. Lagos:
Friedrich
Ebert Foundation.
Edward
– Adebiyi, R. (1997). “The Story of Ogunpa”. The Guardian, Saturday, May 17,
pp.5.
Etuonovbe,
Angela K. (2011). “The Devastating Effect of Flooding in Nigeria”.FIG Working
Week, 2011 paper.
Folorunsho,
R. and L. Awosika (2001). Flood Mitigation in Lagos, Nigeria Through Wise
Management of Solid Waste: A Case Study of Ikoyi and Victoria Islands; Nigerian
(paper presented at the UNESCO – CSI Workshop, Meputo 19 – 23 November).