Analysis of urban flood hazards and adaptation strategies in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana

Abstract The study examines urban flood risk and adaptation strategies in the Tamale Metropolitan area of Ghana. Geospatial techniques were employed to map flood-prone communities, while questionnaires were used to gather data from residents on flood adaptation strategies. The Kendall coefficient of concordance was applied to rank the effectiveness of the various adaptation measures. The results revealed that communities with a topographic wetness index (TWI) between −2.0 and −7.7 were at higher risk of flooding. Factors contributing to flooding included the presence of Ferric Luvisols soil with high clay content, low-lying terrain, significant water flow accumulation, and rapid urbanization, which has increased impervious surfaces. Flood barriers and sandbags were ranked the most effective among the adaptation strategies, followed by early warning systems and community evacuation plans. The findings underscore the need for proactive measures to mitigate the growing vulnerability of residents to flooding. The study argues for incorporating flood risk assessments into zoning regulations to prevent development in high-risk areas and promote a flood-resilient city.