Urban Flood Management and Community Resilience in Jimeta, Adamawa State, Nigeria: An Assessment of Existing Measures, Perceived Effectiveness, and Sustainable Strategies

Abstract

This study assessed urban flood management and community resilience in Jimeta, Adamawa State, with emphasis on existing flood-management measures and sustainable strategies for reducing flood risks. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, field observations, and relevant secondary sources. The data were analysed using frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, with a criterion mean of 2.50 used for decision-making. The findings showed that existing flood- management measures in Jimeta included drainage construction and maintenance, community drainage clearing, flood awareness campaigns, temporary evacuation, emergency response, waste removal, and government intervention. However, the effectiveness of these measures was constrained by inadequate drainage capacity, blockage of drainage channels, indiscriminate waste disposal, construction along natural waterways, insufficient early-warning information, inadequate emergency facilities, and limited community participation. The study further revealed that community resilience was strengthened by residents' preparedness, community cooperation, social networks, previous flood experience, access to information, and the ability to mobilise local resources. Sustainable strategies identified included improved drainage infrastructure, effective flood early-warning systems, enforcement of land-use planning regulations, community- based flood management, improved solid-waste management, flood-resistant infrastructure, regular drainage maintenance, emergency evacuation planning, and stronger collaboration among government agencies, communities, and humanitarian organisations. The study concluded that effective flood management in Jimeta requires a shift from predominantly reactive responses toward integrated, preventive, and community-based approaches. It recommended regular drainage maintenance, improved early-warning systems, strict control of development along waterways, stronger community participation, sustainable waste management, and improved coordination between government institutions and local communities.

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