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A comparative analysis of flooding in Warri and Port Harcourt urban areas of the Niger Delta region in southern Nigeria

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Abstract

This paper provides a comparative analysis of flooding in Warri and Port Harcourt urban areas. The purpose is to isolate identical policies and strategies which may proof effective for flood mitigation in the two geographically related urban areas. The data used in the study were collected through field measurements, observations, interviews, and questionnaire administration and from the states’ agencies for flood management. Data analyses were based on descriptive statistical tools. Results revealed the flood characteristics, impacts, coping mechanisms and that risk-oriented planning which is essential for protection of floodplain occupants is neglected in the areas. The urban drainage systems are inadequate; the existing ones underperform and the municipal authorities have no well-articulated policies/arrangements through which repairs/maintenance/clearance of the drains would be regularly and speedily provided to ensure that they function properly and sustainably. Rehabilitation services are provided irregularly and in an ad hoc manner, based on the resources and priorities of the state governments. The paper recommends that governments and residents of flood-prone areas must address the key causes of deficits in urban drains and, in addition, intervene at critical stages of the flood build-up process in order to reduce flood damage and hasten storm water evacuation.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Ndiche Cosmas and Mamah Kingsley of the GIS Unit, Department of Geography, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, for producing the maps; to the desk officers at the Erosion and Flood Disaster Management Unit, Rivers State Ministry of the Environment; and to the staff of the Natural Disasters Control Department of the Delta State Ministry of the Environment for valuable assistance during field work. We are also indebted to Prof I. A. Madu and Ocheje Jonhmark of the Department of Geography, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, for proof reading the work; and to Prof, P.O. Phil Eze, Head Department of Geography, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, for helpful suggestions concerning the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hydrology and Water Resources Unit, Department of Geography, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

    Obeta Michael Chukwuma

  2. Environmental Management Unit, Department of Geography, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

    Ochege Friday Uchenna

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  1. Obeta Michael Chukwuma
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  2. Ochege Friday Uchenna
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Correspondence to Obeta Michael Chukwuma.

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Chukwuma, O.M., Uchenna, O.F. A comparative analysis of flooding in Warri and Port Harcourt urban areas of the Niger Delta region in southern Nigeria. Arab J Geosci 11, 166 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-018-3525-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-018-3525-3

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