Assessment Household Vulnerability to Flood Disaster: A Study of Oweto Community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria

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.