Vulnerability and Adaptation to Flood Hazards in Rural Settlements of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Climate change has increased the frequency of extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall leading to floods in several regions. In Africa, rural communities are more vulnerable to flooding, particularly those that dwell in low altitude areas or near rivers and those regions affected by tropical storms. This study examined flood vulnerability in three rural villages in South Africa’s northern Limpopo Province and how communities are building resilience and coping with the hazard. These villages lie at the foot of the north-eastern escarpment, and are often exposed to frequent rainfall enhanced by orographic factors. Although extreme rainfall events are rare in the study area, we analyzed daily rainfall and showed how heavy rainfall of short duration can lead to flooding using case studies. Historical floods were also mapped using remote sensing via the topographical approach and two types of flooding were identified, i.e., those due to extreme rainfall and those due to poor drainage or blocked drainage channels. A field survey was also conducted using questionnaires administered to samples of affected households to identify flood vulnerability indicators and adaptation strategies. Key informant interviews were held with disaster management authorities to provide additional information on flood indicators. Subsequently, a flood vulnerability index was computed to measure the extent of flood vulnerability of the selected communities and it was found that all three villages have a ‘vulnerability to floods’ level, considered a medium level vulnerability. The study also details temporary and long-term adaptation strategies/actions employed by respondents and interventions by local authorities to mitigate the impacts of flooding. Adaptation strategies range from digging furrows to divert water and temporary relocations, to constructing a raised patio around the house. Key recommendations include the need for public awareness; implementation of a raft of improvements and a sustainable infrastructure maintenance regime; integration of modern mitigations with local indigenous knowledge; and development of programs to ensure resilience through incorporation of Integrated Development Planning.

Spatial Analysis of the Vulnerability to Flooding in the Rural Context: The Case of the Emilia Romagna Region

“…In this study, the spatial analysis was developed through a GIS-based approach as already experimented in [46][47][48]. The geospatial evaluation of the vulnerability of flooding areas was based on regional geodatabases from which some layers were selected to satisfy the paper's objectives.…”

Exploring Flood Response Challenges, Training Needs, and the Impact of Online Flood Training for Lifeguards and Water Safety Professionals in South Africa

“…Between 1980 and 2010, 77 flood disaster events are estimated to have claimed the lives of 1068 people [ 6 ]. Flood risk in South Africa spans riverine flooding, coastal flooding, and inundation of urban areas due to inadequate drainage [ 4 , 7 ]. More recently, flooding in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in mid-April 2022 claimed the lives of 443 people and displaced an estimated 40,000 people after their homes were swept away by floodwaters [ 8 ].…”

Design of a Smart Barrier to Internal Flooding

“…In the period 1971-2016, according to Consortium statistics, 44.6% of the files processed were due to flood damage, which accounted for 62.0% of the total compensation, which, on average, amounts to about USD 130 million each year. However, the consequences of floods are even more critical in rural areas and underdeveloped countries [15]. The high vulnerability of these regions and the need to fulfil the SDGs make it necessary to develop systems that can reduce the drastic consequences of floods.…”