Post-resettlement flood risk and emergency management strategies in Banjiram community, Guyuk LGA, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The Banjiram community was one of the communities that were resettled in 1980 for the impoundment of the Kiri Reservoir. Despite the fact that the community was the only planned one among the several other communities, low terrain, proximity to the Kiri Reservoir, and the presence of two large streams have subjected the community to annual flood disasters. Geospatial techniques were used to analyze the topography, proximity to the dam, and disaster risk mapping. The attribute data of the community were obtained through a questionnaire, while vulnerability and capacity assessment was also conducted. The results revealed that the two streams within the community are the major causes of flooding in the community, as the culverts that are meant to carry the stream water are too narrow and therefore the water flows back into the community, coupled with the onrushing water from the reservoir at high flood peaks. This results in the destruction of lives, facilities, and the relocation of the inhabitants. One hundred and fifty-nine houses, consisting of 886 people, reside in the “danger” buffer zone along the two streams. The master plan of the community has been distorted, and it was revealed that 10.54 percent of the houses have been damaged more than twice in the last 5 years due to floods. Proper channelization of the two streams in the community and adherence to the master plan were among the recommendations.