Gis-Based Assessment of Flood Risk and Vulnerability of Communities Along Otamiri River
Gis-Based Assessment of Flood Risk and Vulnerability of Communities Along Otamiri River
Gis-Based Assessment of Flood Risk and Vulnerability of Communities Along Otamiri River
submitted by
AUGUST, 2023
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CERTIFICATION
I PATRICK FAVOUR CHINAZA with registration number 20171028874 hereby certify that
I am responsible for the work submitted in this proposal and that this is an original work
which has not been submitted to this university or any other institution for the award of a
degree or Diploma.
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APPROVAL
This proposal written by PATRICK FAVOUR CHINAZA has been examined and approved
for the award of Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Surveying and Geoinformatics, Federal
…………………………… …………………………
SUPERVISOR
…………………………… …………………………
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT
…………………………… …………………………
EXTERNAL EXAMINER
…………………………… …………………………
DEAN OF SOES
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DEDICATION
This proposal is dedicated to almighty God and to my family and friends who have been of
great support.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Above all, I would like to thank the Almighty God for everything, especially giving me the
strength, resources and patience to commence this work.I am grateful to my supervisor Surv.
Dr. E. U. Ahuchaogu for his guidance, suggestions and support during the course of this
program. I would like to extend my appreciation to my colleague Mr Agu Anderson for his
Onyeagoro for his incessant encouragement, guidance and support so far in my course of
study. My gratitude also goes to all my lecturers and other staff of the department of
Surveying and Geoinformatics, Surv. DR. R. E. Njoku, Surv. I. D. Arungwa, Dr. Mrs. C. N.
Baywood, Mr Babatunde to name a few, for their contributions and support.Lastly I want to
express my gratefulness to my parents late Mr & Mrs Patrick Olewe, my siblings and my
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ABSTRACT
Flooding refers to the overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. It can cause severe
damage to homes, infrastructure, and entire communities, as well as posing a risk to human
life, property, and safety. This study was aimed at assessing flood vulnerability of
communities along Otamiri river within Owerri west, using Remote sensing and GIS
techniques. Five flood causation factors were considered, they include slope, elevation,
drainage density, proximity to the river and land use. Shuttle Radar Topographic Misssion
(SRTM) and Landsat (bands 3,4 and 5) Imageries were acquired for the study. The data was
processed in the ArcGis environment, the AHP evaluation was executed in Excel to assign
weights on factors based on how much they contribute to flooding. Flood risk and
vulnerability maps were created based on each factor and an overall risk map was produced.
The result shows that the vulnerability of Nekede, Ihiagwa, Eziobodo, and Obinze are high,
based on the slope. The result shows that, based on proximity, only the Umu oma community
fell within 800m from the river which made it highly vulnerable, other communities have
low vulnerability to flooding as they fell within 2000m and above from the river. The study
area was classified into 3 categories based on their vulnerability, which are low, moderate
and high communities such as Amaeze, Ihiagwa, Okuku, Umuguma are at highly vulnerable
areas, Obinze is situated at a moderately vulnerable area, Imeabiam and Umu Ekwune
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TABLE OF CONTENT
CERTIFICATION 1
APPROVAL 2
DEDICATION 3
ACKNOWLEDGMENT 4
ABSTRACT 5
TABLE OF CONTENT 6
LIST OF FIGURES 9
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 10
CHAPTER ONE 1
INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 BACKGROUND STUDY 1
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM 3
1.3 AIM & OBJECTIVES 4
1.3.1 AIM 4
1.3.2 OBJECTIVES: 4
1.3 SCOPE OF STUDY & LIMITATIONS 4
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY 4
1.6 STUDY AREA 5
LITERATURE REVIEW 7
2.1 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK 7
2.1.1 INTRODUCTION 7
2.1.2 FORMS OF FLOODING IN NIGERIA 7
2.1.3 CAUSATIVE FACTORS OF FLOODING IN NIGERIA 8
2.1.5 BACKGROUND STUDY OF FLOOD OCCURRING IN OWERRI 10
2.1.6 FLOOD RISK AND FLOOD VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT 11
2.1.7 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM AND REMOTE
SENSINGTECHNIQUES 12
2.2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 13
CHAPTER THREE 16
METHODOLOGY 16
3.1 INTRODUCTION 16
3.2 DATA AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENT 17
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3.3HARDWARE COMPONENTS 17
3.4PERSONNELS INVOLVED 17
3.5 DATA ACQUISITION 17
CHAPTER FOUR 20
DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULT PRESENTATION 20
4.1 BRIEF INTODUCTION 20
4.2 INVESTIGATING FACTORS AFFECTING FLOOD FREQUENCY IN THE STUDY
AREA 20
4.2.1 SLOPE 20
4.2.1.1 WEIGHTS FOR RECLASSIFIED SLOPE PATTERN OF THE STUDY AREA 22
4.2.2 DRAINAGE DENSITY 24
4.2.2.1 WEIGHTS FOR RECLASSIFIED DRAINAGE PATTERN OF THE STUDY AREA 26
4.2.3 LAND USE AND LAND COVER 28
4.2.3.1 WEIGHTS FOR RECLASSIFIED LANDUSE OF THE STUDY AREA 30
4.2.4 ELEVATION 32
4.2.4.1 WEIGHTS FOR RECLASSIFIED ELEVATION PATTERN OF THE STUDY AREA 34
4.2.5 PROXIMITY TO RIVER 36
4.2.5.1 WEIGHTS FOR PROXIMITY OF THE STUDY AREA TO RIVER AND
RECLASSIFICATION 38
4.3 WEIGHTED ANALYSIS 40
4.4 FLOOD VULNERABILITY OF OWERRI WEST, IMO STATE. 41
CHAPTER FIVE 43
CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION 43
5.1 CONCLUSION 43
5.2 RECOMMENDATION 43
5.3 CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE 43
REFERENCES 44
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LIST OF TABLES
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LIST OF FIGURES
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
RS Remote Sensing
TM Thematic Mapper
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
floods in general, and the effect of floods has also increased as a result of population growth
and development etc. According to Rozalis et al (2010) floods are among the most shocking
events and can cause irreversible harm. Flooding is one of the most common natural
disasters, often with disastrous consequences, affecting 170 million people worldwide each
The likelihood of flooding is influenced by the presence of a river in an area. It can occur in
many ways, including river overflow, heavy rainfall, and breaches in the flood protection
system. Flood stands out as one of the major disadvantages to communities situated close to
rivers. These communities do not just face the overflow of water on land, as floodwaters
spread, they can threaten lives, properties and businesses, destroy belongings, damage vital
infrastructure and prevent access to essential public services. Often the effects of the flood
are long-term and can be very costly, disruptive and distressing for communities involved.
Flood risk includes both the chance of an event taking place and its potential impact.
The consequences of a flood depend upon how exposed a community is to flooding and how
vulnerable its people, property and infrastructures are to the flood's impacts. Flood risk will
be greater with time if not attended to. some Communities located nearby rivers are
responsible for increasing their vulnerability to flooding risk through activities such as
have been inadequately designed in the first place, construction of settlements in flood plains
etc.
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Overall implications of Imo flood prevalence degrees from ravaging human activities,
inflicting damages to goods, properties, farmland, animals, disorder spreads and infection of
the water deliver ensuing to giant social, economic, and environmental impacts. Hence, the
want for correct control and manage of flood risk and vulnerability are important significance
for bringing normalcy to the land in which sustainable improvement goals may be actualized
even as boosting the economic system of the state. However, this can't be technically
accomplished without powerful flood vulnerability evaluation mapping.In the past few years,
GIS emerged as a powerful risk assessment tool and is being put to use to assess risk (Ajay
Lavakare 2010). Managing risks from floods may involve altering the chance of flooding
vulnerability and exposure to flooding. The risk posed by natural disasters such as floods, is
location dependent, and if reliable historical and location-specific data are available, it can be
assessed within a reasonable range of uncertainty. With GIS analysis and visual
representation for identifying and analyzing risky areas is possible. Flood risk zones can be
identified, assessed, and understood, minimizing the damage to buildings and saving lives. It
is necessary to prioritize the potential vulnerability and it hazard of regions to flooding. Also,
detailed flood risk mapping is necessary to reduce the hazards of flooding, which can be
GIS is an effective tool in flood modeling. It has been used for describing, analyzing,
modeling and integrating forecasted flood levels with other related information such as
topographic, thematic and attribute information. In this study, flood vulnerability analysis of
Owerri west will be mapped using geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing
techniques.
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1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
In Nigeria, at least 20% of the population is at the risk of one form of flooding or another
(Hula and Udoh, 2015). The menace of flooding ravaging different areas of Imo state Nigeria
has been a recurrent phenomenon in recent years (Chibo C. N. et al 2014). In Owerri, there is
a risk of river flooding which may arise from heavy rainfall and when the water level of
Otamiri River rises and overflows into the neighboring communities. Anthropogenic factors
(such as improper disposal of wastes and other materials, dredging done along river banks,
constructions located near the river etc) are significantly variable and exacerbate floods
(Agbola B. S. et al 2013). Not to obliviate the hazardous and irreversible effects flooding has
to human lives and properties like disrupting business activities, lowering the income of the
poor, destroying homes, and other facilities, and affecting education. Hence it is not absurd to
imagine flooding occurring in relation to Otamiri River and therefore the need to assess the
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1.3 AIM & OBJECTIVES
1.3.1 Aim
The aim of this study is GIS based assessment of flood risk potential and vulnerability of
1.3.2 Objectives:
ii. To create the Digital Elevation Models, elevation and slope map of the study area
integration of Remote sensing and GIS. Assessment of only five flood causation factors such
as slope, drainage network, elevation and land use, integrating the maps of these factors for
flood risk and vulnerability mapping within the study area. This study will only cover a
planning future development using the information as a guide for land use decisions. Floods
can be deadly and assessing flood risk helps in identifying areas and population and facilities
exposed to flood risk. This information can be very useful in protecting lives and properties
against the impact of flooding. Application of spatial analysis with GIS allows for the
integration and analysis of multiple data sets to create comprehensive picture or visualization
of flood vulnerability. This enables more accurate and efficient identification of areas that are
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1.6 STUDY AREA
The study area, Otamiri River is one of the major rivers in Imo state, Nigeria. . The river runs
south from Egbu past Owerri and through Nekede, Ihiagwa, Eziobodo. Olokwu Umuisi,
Mgbirichi and Umuagwo to Ozuzu in Etche, in the River state, from where it flows to the
Local Government Area in Imo state. It is situated within Owerri Municipal Council and is
bordered by other LGAs such as Owerri North, Owerri Municipal, Ngor Okpala.
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Figure 2 Map of Nigeria showing Imo State, Map of Imo State
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figure 3 Satellite imagery showing a section of River Otamiri in Owerri West downloaded from Goggle
earth.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
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2.1 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
2.1.1 INTRODUCTION
Flooding refers to the overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. It can occur due to
various reasons such as melting of snow, hurricanes, storm surges or even human activities
such as dam failures. Flooding can cause significant damage to infrastructures, homes, and
Flooding can also have environmental impacts, such as soil erosion and contamination of
water sources. The severity of flooding depends on various factor, including the amount and
intensity of rainfall or snowmelt, the topography of the area, the condition of waterways and
i. River flooding: This occurs when a river overflows its banks due to heavy rainfall or
other factors. River flooding is common in Nigeria during the rainy season,
particularly in areas close to major rivers such as the Niger and Benue rivers.
ii. Flash flooding: This occurs when heavy rainfall or other factors cause water to
Flash flooding can occur in both urban and rural areas and is particularly dangerous
iii. Coastal flooding: This occurs when high tides, storm surges, or other factors cause
coastal areas, particularly during the rainy season and during periods of high tidal
activity.
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iv. Urban flooding: This occurs when water accumulates in urban areas due to poor
drainage systems, high levels of impervious surfaces such as concrete and asphalt, and
v. Dam or levee failures: This occurs when a dam or levee fails or breaches, leading to
can occur rapidly and without warning, and can lead to significant loss of life and
property.
the rainy season and the dry season. During the rainy season, which typically runs
from May to October, heavy rainfall can lead to flooding. This can be exacerbated by
change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events,
ii. Hydrological factors: Nigeria is home to several large rivers, including the Niger and
Benue Rivers. When these rivers overflow their banks, they can cause flooding in
downstream.
iii. Anthropogenic factors: Human activities can also contribute to flooding in Nigeria.
For example, urbanization and land-use change can lead to the construction of
buildings and roads that disrupt natural drainage patterns. Additionally, improper
waste disposal and dumping of trash can clog drainage systems, leading to localized
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flooding. Agricultural practices such as irrigation and land-use change can also
contribute to soil erosion and increased runoff, which can lead to flooding.
sustainable land-use practices, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the impacts
of climate change.
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2.1.5 BACKGROUND STUDY OF FLOOD OCCURRING IN OWERRI
Floods have been a recurring problem in Owerri, the capital city of Imo State in Nigeria, for
many years. The city's location in the Niger Delta region, combined with its low-lying
topography and heavy rainfall during the rainy season, makes it vulnerable to flooding. The
In September 2010, heavy rainfall caused flooding in Owerri, resulting in the displacement of
over 5,000 people and destruction of property worth millions of naira. The floodwaters also
In August 2018, Owerri experienced another flood, which was triggered by heavy rainfall
that lasted for several hours. The floodwaters caused significant damage to property and
infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings. The flood also resulted in the loss of
In July 2019, Owerri was hit by another flood, which was caused by a combination of heavy
rainfall and poor drainage systems. The floodwaters affected several parts of the city,
including major roads and residential areas, causing damage to property and displacement of
residents.
In September 2020, Owerri experienced another round of flooding, which was caused by
heavy rainfall that lasted for several hours. The floodwaters submerged several parts of the
city, making it difficult for residents to move around. The flood also caused significant
Floods have become a recurring problem in Owerri, with heavy rainfall and poor drainage
systems being the primary causes. The floods have caused significant damage to property and
infrastructure and have also resulted in the displacement of residents and loss of lives.
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2.1.6 FLOOD RISK AND FLOOD VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT
Flood risk assessment and flood vulnerability assessment are important tools for
understanding the potential impacts of flooding on a given area and developing effective
strategies for reducing risk and enhancing resilience. They are two complementary
a) Hazard mapping: identifying areas that are susceptible to flooding due to natural or
human-made factors.
b) Exposure mapping: identifying the buildings, infrastructure, and people that are at
c) Vulnerability assessment: determining the degree to which the exposed elements are
The output of a flood risk assessment is a set of risk maps that can be used to prioritize
focuses on the social, economic, and environmental factors that contribute to the
capacity of individuals, households, and communities to prepare for and recover from
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with disabilities Livelihood analysis: assessing the economic impacts of flooding on
The output of a flood vulnerability assessment is a set of recommendations for improving the
resilience of the community to future flooding events, such as improving early warning
used for collecting, processing, analyzing, and displaying spatial data. These technologies are
used in a wide range of fields, including environmental management, urban planning, natural
GIS technology involves the use of computer software to capture, store, manipulate, and
analyze geographic data. GIS systems allow users to view and analyze different layers of
data, including maps, satellite images, and other spatial information. GIS can also be used to
create custom maps, conduct spatial analysis, and generate reports that help decision-makers
Remote sensing, on the other hand, involves the use of aerial and satellite imagery to gather
data about the earth's surface. Remote sensing data can be used to create maps and models of
various features on the earth's surface, including land cover, vegetation, water bodies, and
topography. Remote sensing is often used in conjunction with GIS technology to create
detailed maps and models that provide a comprehensive view of the spatial relationships
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GIS and RS are often used together to improve the accuracy and reliability of spatial data.
For example, GIS can be used to integrate and analyze different types of data, while remote
sensing can be used to collect high-resolution imagery that provides detailed information
about the earth's surface. Together, these technologies can help decision-makers better
understand and manage complex spatial problems, such as natural resource management,
map of Lokoja metropolis. He delineated the flood extent using SPOT satellite data as a
yardstick of validating the vulnerability map .He was able to show vulnerability levels at
various locations within his study area using slope, elevation nearness to drainage land use
ANDINET W. M. (2022), conducted flood inundation and risk mapping of Ethiopia using
GIS approach. Some of the factors he used included rainfall and flood depth. He was able to
categorize the study area into flood vulnerability levels and predicted the return period of
flood of certain magnitudes as a tool for mitigating the impact of flood in his study area
ISHAYA S. et al (2009) exploited the integration approach of remote sensing and GIS
techniques in flood management in mapping out areas that are vulnerable to flood hazards in
Gwagwalanda urban areas. He determined the area’s most vulnerable to flood hazards and
areas free from flood threats. His results showed the area’s most vulnerable to flood hazards
and those free form the hazards. He also recommended removal of structures from areas with
IKUSEMORAN M. et al (2013) carried out a GIS based assessment of flood risk and
vulnerability of communities in the Benue flood plains in Adamawa state. The communities
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were linked to a generated digital map of river Benue valley using ArcGIS software to assess
each of the communities for the flood vulnerability. The vulnerability was classified into 4
identified escape routes and good sites for refugee camps during the flooding. He
recommended that settlements that were highly vulnerable be relocated to higher grounds
with higher elevation to prevent future reoccurrence and should employ the use of GIS for
ODEYEMI C. A. et al (2017) assessed the extent and magnitude of flooding and the
settlements at risk with data generated from structured questionnaires and discussions carried
out with some people living in Ado Ekiti, and data from Google Earth. He administered
questionnaire to respondents who seemed literate enough. He modeled flood hazards using
flood depths, duration and frequency. His flood map showed the percentage of households
unaware of the flooding in that area before moving in and those who had experienced
flooding more than once. It was revealed that some of the household believed that flood
occurrence in the areas have some impacts on their properties and expenditures. It was
concluded that the flooding in the study area was caused by excessive flooding and poor
drainage management by residents, uncontrolled development, and lack of adequate land use
planning.
AWODUMI O. E. (2020), was able to deduce the magnitude of the risk of flooding using the
distance from the river and elevation of the area. He showed that the areas of Kosofe local
government along the Aboyi River (Lagos state) is located on near uniform lowlands with the
vulnerable zones located on the lowest part of the plain, responsible for the high flood
vulnerability experienced in the area. His dataset included spatial and non-spatial data.
Attribute data of buildings and extent of the river. The DTM was used to show the drainage
pattern and terrain of the study area which showed that there were no way buildings 30m
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along the river channel can escape from flood. He recommended that there be an enforcement
of relevant laws and planning that prohibit erection of structures along the flood plains.
EJIKEME et al (2015)analyze the risks and impact of flooding using satellite remote
sensing of the Anambra river basin, South-eastern Nigeria by classification of Landsat image
and resampling of SRTM to generate DEM. The results showed different areas of flood risk
and the percentage of the areas occupied. He showed the areas the high risk, moderate risk
and low risk occupied. The different categories of flood risk inundation level were integrated
with the feature classes in order to analyze the impact of the frisk level on the feature classes.
OKORE O. O. et al, (2021) examined the flood prone areas in Imo state, south eastern
Nigeria using GIS classified flood vulnerability assessment map based on various elevation
of the area and the locations and their classes to be affected were also summarized. He used
ESRI ArcGIS 10.2, Global mapper and Google Earth Pro software in his study. The results
shows that the variations in heights above sea level for the study area range from 1-408m
which implies that after a heavy and prolonged rainfall that naturally the runoff generated
The review of the above studies shows that GIS and Remote sensing Techniques
have be applied in analyzing flooding, its effects and management, both in Nigeria and
Other countries in the world. This study in particular will contribute to the Literature by
focusing on the areas along Otamiri River in Imo state (Owerri West precisely) using GIS
and Remote Sensing techniques extensively to assess the vulnerability of communities and
also the potential risk of the flooding of the River by integrating terrain analysis,
hydrological analysis and the different land covers and uses in the study area.
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CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
3.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter describes the date sources, acquisition and data processing of flood related
factors, as well as the methods employed for result production. Overall, this chapter provides
a detailed account of the research processes used to evaluate flood risk potential and
community vulnerability.
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DATA ACQUISITION
DATA CLIPPING
IMAGE ENHANCEMENT
VOID FILLING
IMAGE CLASSIFICATION
HYDRLOGICAL SURFACE
ANALYSIS ANALYSIS
LANDUSE MAP
ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY
PROCESS
OVERLAY ANALYSIS
ii. Satellite imagery (Landsat Imagery covering the study area with a spatial resolution of
30m)
v. ArcGis software
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3.3HARDWARE COMPONENTS
These are the physical equipment’s that will be used to execute this research and they
include:
3.4PERSONNELS INVOLVED
The personnel involved in this study include:
study area was acquired from USAS website. The study area was visited for validation of
results.
i. Image Enhancement: Image enhancing techniques was carried out to improve the
visual quality of the satellite imagery, making it more suitable for this assessment (the
enhancement improved the appearance of the image and a new enhanced image will
ii. Data Clipping: This procedure will be used to exclude unwanted areas and features
within the remote sensed data to prioritize specific areas for further analysis. This was
to ensure that the boundary limit is maintained through out the study.
iii. Void Filling: Void filling of the SRTM data will be done to fill missing or erroneous
elevation values within the dataset to create a continuous and reliable surface. Filling
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Image Classification: This technique involves categorizing pixels and objects in the
imagery into different classes based on their spectral characteristics. The classification
will be applied to the entire image to classify each pixel to specific land cover classes
the area of interest was clipped out of the satellite imagery using the shapefile of the
study area. supervised classification was carried out to generate five classes i.e
Surface Analysis: This process was carried out to assess flow patterns and
topographic factors that contribute to flood risk and vulnerability. The output of this
process is the slope map and elevation map of the study area.
The digital elevation model (DEM) was created in the ArcGis environment from the
SRTM covering the study area. the spatial analysis tool was used to produce the slope
Hydrological Analysis: This analysis was carried out on the SRTM data to simulate
the drainage density of the study area was created using the DEM of the study area.
the following procedures were taken in the spatial analyst tool in the Arctool box:
hydrology > fill >flow direction > flow accumulation. The stream raster was then
vii. Creation of buffer zones: Buffer zones were created along the river by these
procedures: arc tool box > analysis tools > proximity > multiple ring buffer. Distances
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viii. Reclassification: this process was used to reassign values to each criteria based on
ix. Analytic hierarchical process: this is a decision making process, it was used to
prioritize and evaluate the factors. It was carried out in Excel and weights were
assigned.
x. Overlay Analysis: it was used in the GIS based assessments of flood vulnerability to
integrate the various spatial data layers. Overlay analysis involves combining data
layers. In the weighted overlay section in the arc tool box, the raster of all 5 factors
xi. Risk and Vulnerability Mapping: By combining these factors through ,overlay
analysis techniques in GIS, flood risk and vulnerability map was produced.
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CHAPTER FOUR
In order to access the risk and vulnerability of flooding in Owerri west, we evaluated the
area based on five factors contributing to flooding which are elevation, slope, drainage
density and proximity to Otamiri river. This chapter includes the discussion and presentation
of results in maps and tables that illustrate the distribution of these factors.
STUDY AREA
4.2.1 SLOPE
Slope is a crucial factor in GIS-based assessments of flood vulnerability due to its significant
influence on the movement and accumulation of water. It affects the speed and direction of
water runoff during flooding events or rainfall. The slope map generated from SRTM DEM
The figure 6 below shows the slope of the study area. The area was categorized into 3 based
on their slope, near flat, gentle slope and steep slope. The map shows that the study area
generally has near flat and gentle slopes. Flat and gentle areas with lower slope are more
vulnerable to flooding since water accumulates easily on such surfaces while high run-offs
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figure 6 slope map of Owerri west
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4.2.1.1 WEIGHTS FOR RECLASSIFIED SLOPE PATTERN OF THE STUDY AREA
The reclassification was done based on the slope pattern of the study area. The AHP scale or
Saaty scale comparison was based on the idea that the likelihood of water accumulation on
the surfaces with flat or gentle slope angle is more hence an increase in the chance of
flooding, and the opposite is also true. The weights that were determined from the saaty scale
for each of the three classes are shown in the table below.
The figure 7 below shows the reclassification of the slope map. The goal of reclassification is
to expose the slope pattern in the study area in all its clarity. Since the study area is mainly
near flat and gentle, there is great tendency for water to build, making communities there
susceptible to floods.
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figure 7 flood risk and vulnerability map based on slope
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4.2.2 DRAINAGE DENSITY
Drainage density refers to the measure of how concentrated the network of rivers, streams,
and channels is within an area. The SRTM DEM was used to generate the drainage density of
the study area. Higher drainage density indicates more flow pathways for water. During
heavy rainfall, areas with high drainage density can quickly accumulate and convey water,
water effectively. Lower drainage density might result in poor water dispersal, causing water
to pool. The density of drainage channels influences the overall capacity of the drainage
system to handle excess water. High drainage density might lead to a higher capacity,
reducing the risk of flooding, while low density could mean limited capacity and increased
risk.
The figure 8 below shows the drainage density of the study area. By mapping and
analyzing drainage density, we identified areas where the existing drainage network might
not be capable of handling increased water flow such as the imeabiam community which falls
mainly within the range of 0-76. The drainage density of Eziobodo community mainly falls
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figure 8 drainage density map of owerri west
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4.2.2.1 WEIGHTS FOR RECLASSIFIED DRAINAGE PATTERN OF THE STUDY
AREA
The table below shows the comparison amongst classes and the results of the weights
generated from the saaty scale comparison for the three classes.
The figure 9 below shows the drainage density of the study area. 3 classes were further
reclassified to better understand how drainage density can contribute to flooding in the study
area. areas with drainage density between 0-76 were classified as high, because they are more
include Imeabiam and Okuku. Areas between 77-190 were reclassified as moderate, as they
are moderately vulnerable to flooding since the drainage density in this area is a little bit
greater than that of the high class. Communities found in this category include Nekedes.
Areas reclassified as low and very ow range between 200-430, communities in this category
are less vulnerable to flooding because of the higher density of drainage present and they
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figure 9 flood risk and vulnerability map based on drainage density
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4.2.3 LAND USE AND LAND COVER
information about the types of surfaces and activities present in an area. Different land uses
and land covers have varying levels of permeability, which affects how water infiltrates or
Urban areas with impervious surfaces like concrete and asphalt create higher runoff,
increasing flood risk. Natural areas with vegetation can absorb and slow down water,
reducing flood potential. The table shows the extent each type of land use cover and its area
percentage.
Table 3 below displays the result of the actual value of the land use research for the study
area, which indicates a bare surface of around 167.373m2 or roughly 55.1066% of the area. a
total of 76.6593 km2 or 25.239649% of the area is covered with vegetation. Only
Table 3 showing the statistical analysis of Land use/Land cover of Owerri west LGA, Imo State.
The figure 10 above shows the land use map of the study area. The area was classified into 4
(based on the land use), exposed surfaces, settlements, vegetation and water body.
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figure 10 land use map of Owerri west
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4.2.3.1 WEIGHTS FOR RECLASSIFIED LANDUSE OF THE STUDY AREA
To understand the influence of landuse as a flood causative factor in the study area, the four
classes ( waterbody, built-up, bare surface and vegetation) were further reclassified. The table
below displays the results of the weights produced from the Saaty scale comparison for the
four classes.
The figure 11 above displays the reclassification of the land use land cover map. Areas with
vegetation and permeable surfaces allow water to infiltrate, decreasing the volume of runoff
that contributes to flooding. Built-up areas such as Umu oma and Nekede, concentrate
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figure 11 flood risk and vulnerability map based on landuse
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4.2.4 ELEVATION
Elevation determines an area's height above sea level. Low-lying areas are more susceptible
to flooding, Areas at or below the elevation of nearby water bodies are at risk of inundation
during floods. Rapid runoff from higher elevations can trigger flash floods downstream in
lower-lying areas. The Digital Elevation Model (DEM) was used to obtain the elevation of
the study area. The DEM indicates that the height of the study area lies between 33m to 110m
The figure 12 below shows the elevation of the study area. Nekede, Irete and Amaeze have
elevations that mostly fall between 69-110m, Eziobodo, Obinze and Ihiagwa have elevations
that mainly fall between 57-68, and Umu Ekwune Ekwuoke has elevations that mainly fall
34
figure 12 elevation map of Owerri west.
35
4.2.4.1 WEIGHTS FOR RECLASSIFIED ELEVATION PATTERN OF THE STUDY
AREA
The comparison of AHP scale was based on the fact that floods are more likely to occur in
low-lying locations near rivers than in high-lying areas. The table below displays the results
of the weights produced from the Saaty scale comparison for the four classes.
Figure 13 below displays the reclassification of the elevation map. Three classes were
selected to serve as the category of elevation within the study area for the purpose of
determining its impact on flood events in the study area: low, moderate and high. The
reclassification was made on the basis of elevation of the study area. The range of low
elevation was considered to be between 33-56m. Communities that fall in this category are
Nekede, Amaeze, Irete, Ubomiri Ubomini. These communities are considered generally to
have low elevations therefore are most vulnerable and are at higher risk to flooding. Areas
with elevation range of 57-68m were considered as moderately vulnerable. Communities that
fall in this category are include Ihiagwa, Obinze, Eziobodo and Okuku. The Umu Ekwune
Ekwuoke fell in the high category.This is due to the low elevation of area above the mean sea
level allows for water flow across it. which means that communities like the Umu Ekwune
Ekwuoke have a higher tendency to experience flooding because run-off is more difficult to
occur at lower elevations than it is at higher elevations, where it is to flow to the lower areas,
causing the area to flood during times of river over flow or heavy rain.
36
figure 13 flood risk and vulnerability map based on elevation
37
4.2.5 PROXIMITY TO RIVER
Areas located closer to a river are at higher risk to flooding due to their immediate exposure
to rising water levels. The likelihood and severity of flooding increase as you move closer to
the riverbanks. Areas close to the river are more likely to experience flooding during heavy
rainfall or river overflow. The Otamiri river was buffered with 800m, 1600m and 2400m. the
38
figure 14 buffering of Otamiri river
39
4.2.5.1 WEIGHTS FOR PROXIMITY OF THE STUDY AREA TO RIVER AND
RECLASSIFICATION
The table below shows the comparison amongst classes and the results of the weights
generated from the Saaty scale comparison for the three classes.
The figure below shows the reclassification of the proximity map. Areas such as the Umu
oma community that are within 0-800m are highly vulnerable to flooding, 500-1000m are
40
figure 15 flood risk and vulnerability map based on proximity
41
4.3 WEIGHTED ANALYSIS
In order to assess flood vulnerability, a multi-criteria evaluation technique was used, which
essentially takes into account the roles that various factors play in the occurrence of floods.
Each component has a varied impact on the area because of how much it contributes. These
factors are land use/cover, slope, drainage density, proximity to the river, and elevation, were
assigned weights based on their relative relevance. In order to eliminate subjectivity and bias
in the weighting of the variables, the Analytical Hierarchy Process was employed to rank the
weights assigned to each criterion. The assigned weights were calculated and achieved using
AHP Excel.
Vegetation 3 1
Bare surface 4 2
57-68 2 2 14.3
69-110 3 1
density 29.7
77-190 2 2
42
200-430 3 1
1600m 2 2 35.5
2400m 3 1
TOTAL 100
The study area was classified into 3 categories based on their vulnerability, which are low,
moderate and high. It shows that communities such as Amaeze, Ihiagwa, Okuku, Umuguma
are at highly vulnerable areas, Obinze is situated at a moderately vulnerable area, Imeabiam
and Umu Ekwune Ekwuoke are located are lowly vulnerable areas. The figure 16 below
43
figure 16 flood risk and vulnerability map of Owerri west
44
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION
5.1 CONCLUSION
The study analysed areas vulnerable to flood in Owerri west with the use of integrated
techniques of Remote Sensing and GIS. AHP method was applied to determine the weights
for each factor. The study revealed that proximity to the river ranked the highest among
factors contributing to the occurrence of flooding in the study area with a weight of 35.5%.
Drainage density, Elevation, slope and land use were ranked as 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th with
The result shows that communities that lie close to the river are all prone to flood hazard,
which implies that all populace, agricultural activities, buildings and other facilities that may
5.2 RECOMMENDATION
government should set up reliable coordinated system for managing floods and
responding to emergencies.
the government should ensure that the drains and gutters in the entire local
government are de-slited to allow for the free flow of run off and storm water.
45
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