A STUDY INTO THE CAUSES OF FLOODS AND ITS SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS ON THE PEOPLE OF SAWABA IN THE BOLGATANGA MUNICIPALITY, UPPER EAST, GHANA

Abstract

Flooding is a phenomenon which can occur if the amount of precipitation in an area exceeds the evaporation rate and infiltration capacity of the soil and it is said to be the most lethal kind of hydrometeorological and anthropological disaster, floods cause natural threats to life, health and population. This study sought to assess the causes of flooding and its attendant socio-economic conditions on the livelihoods of the people of Sawaba (the hardest hit or flood prone zone, especially between the months of July and August) in the Bolgatanga Municipality. Descriptive survey design was adopted in this study applying both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. For every hundred people interviewed, as many as 82% respondents indicated lack of drainage system, while 70% of them indicated improper waste or refuse disposal. Sixty four percent (64%) of them stated lack of proper planning of structures, 40% of them mentioned heavy rains, 34% of the respondents stated that, the area was waterlogged in nature while 18% of them indicated over flow of river. Forty six percent (46%) of the respondents stated that, compacted soil was the cause of flooding and 18% of them stated that lose soil rather caused flooding. It was observed that 66% of the dwelling houses had collapsed after flood situation in 2013 with 36% of the individuals either being seriously injured or lost their lives. It was revealed that residents of Sawaba spent between GH¢ 100.00 and GH¢500 ($45 and $220) to renovate their homes after the floods. Financial support by government and technical assistance by the departments of civil and agriculture engineering of the Bolgatanga Polytechnic should extend skills