Flood Vulnerability Modelling Factors of Nafada Town, Gombe State, Nigeria Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

Abstract

This study employs the integrated approach of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques in flood management with the goal of deriving flood vulnerability modelling factors. Flood vulnerability studies have become more efficient in recent years because of the availability of advanced computational facilities and use of GIS. Almost every year, Nafada Town has been experiencing repeated flooding during the rainy season (July to September). As a consequence, properties are lost or destroyed and sometimes lives are lost. The aim of this research is to develop factors that could be used in flood vulnerability modelling of terrain features that favored the incidence of the floods as part of the solution to the problem. The objectives were to process Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) Scene 186/052 with a resolution of 90m·90m which covered the study area, downloaded from United State Geological Surveys (USGS) and the factors were obtained. These fetors were fill sink (elevation), terrain wetness index, proximity to river and overland flow length using the Integrated Land and water information system (ILWIS 3.3) Software, the factors were then classified using Natural breaks extension of ArcGIS 9.3 software. Hence, GIS techniques were proved to be useful in deriving the flood vulnerability modelling factors in a time and cost effective manner. It is recommended that GIS methods should be incorporated in planning and management of floods in the study area and further study should be conducted to combine these factors to develop a flood vulnerability model of the area.