Negative Impact of Climate Change Induced Flooding on the Livelihood of Ajeromi—Ifelodun Area of Lagos Nigeria
摘要
Climate change, which refers to long-term shifts in weather patterns, is increasing the periodicity and intensity of extreme weather events globally. The extremity in weather patterns is currently playing out as increased flood events in various parts of Nigeria and Lagos State is one of the most susceptible places to flood due to its peculiar topography and low-lying terrain. This study examined the negative impacts of climate change induced flooding on the livelihood of Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government area (LGA) residents through mixed-methods research design. Three communities were purposefully selected due to their proximity to water bodies and the houses in the selected street were digitized using ArcGIS amounting to 1051 buildings before selecting 20% as the sample size. Quantitative data was collected through a structured questionnaire on the awareness, specific impacts, coping mechanisms, and socio-economic costs of losses related to climate-induced flooding. Additionally, historical climate data was obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) to analyze past trends in climate variables and predict potential future conditions. Results showed that respondents are aware of climate change and believe that it is mostly caused by cutting down of trees and building along the riverbank. The study concludes that climate induced flooding has been affecting the buildings and roads within the study area and made the following recommendations: evacuation/resettlement of residents with buildings or settlement along the river bank without proper set banks, proper monitoring to ensure that new buildings in the area are done according to specifications; proper channelization of drainages to ease free flow of water; dredging of the river to ease proper flow of water; discourage indiscriminate dumping of refuse in to the and finally restoring some part of the area back to a buffer zone.