ASSESSMENT OF FLOOD RISK AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES IN HADEJIA RIVER BASIN, NIGERIA

This study evaluates the impact of land use and land cover changes on flood occurrences, highlighting the interplay between environmental modifications and flood dynamics. Additionally, the study employs Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to predict and map flood risk scenarios, providing a robust framework for risk assessment. The research further examines the rural communities' responses and adaptation strategies, evaluating the effectiveness of local measures and overall community resilience. The study employed a three-phase field reconnaissance survey conducted between August 2023 and January 2024 to collect baseline data. Both primary and secondary data sources were utilized. Primary data included satellite imagery and GPS coordinates, while secondary data comprised topographic and soil maps, hydrological records, and historical rainfall data. Various data processing and analytical techniques, such as image pre-processing, classification, and MCDA, were employed to generate accurate flood risk maps and assess the impact of different contributing factors. The results revealed varying levels of susceptibility. Nearly half of the study area (46.54%) falls under the Very Low-Risk category, suggesting the effectiveness of current flood prevention measures. Low-risk zones account for 19.86%, requiring only basic management interventions, while Moderate-risk areas (18.60%) necessitate improved planning and mitigation strategies. High-Risk regions (11.23%) are highly vulnerable to severe flooding and demand significant intervention, whereas Very High-Risk areas (3.76%) require urgent emergency response measures.