THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE INDUCED FLOODING IN BENIN-CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

This paper examines the impact of climate change induced flooding in Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria. Climate change is the technical terminology used to describe the significant and long lasting change in statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. Flooding is the overflow on an expanse of water such that it covers or submerges the land while moving with a particular speed. The aim of the paper includes to identify: the major causes of climate change in the study area, examine the major proofs of climate change flooding in the study area, examine the major causes of flooding in the study area, the major impact of climate change induced flooding and the strategies adopted by the city inhabitantss to mitigate the impact of climate change induced flooding in Benin-City. To achieve the aim of this paper, questionnaires were administered and oral interviews conducted to 500 respondents which represents 0.0245% of 2,045,000 (the projected population of the study area in 2025). Random sampling method was employed to collect the required data from the appropriate sources. The data collected were analysed using tables, frequencies and percentages. From the analyses, the following major findings emerged and they are: burning of fossil fuels, industrial activities and, deforestation were the major causes of climate change; early cessation of rainy season, excessive temperature, erratic rainfall and delayed rainy season are the major evidences of climate change; seasonal flooding/erosion, damage to infrastructure, submergence of buildings, loss of lives and properties, transportation problem, low agricultural production and health problems are the impact of climate change induced flooding in Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria. Consequent upon the findings of this paper, the following mitigating and coping strategies are made and they are: creation and promotion of effective community awareness, construction of permeable pavements, elevated foundations, weather-resistant building materials; construction of additional gutters where appropriate, evacuation of blocked drainage channels, enforcement of environmental sanitation, adoption of modern environmental building codes, implementation of green building initiatives, avoidance of encroachment on waterways and total eschewal from areas near waterways.. The paper concludes by passionately soliciting for the implementation of the recommendations and policy interventions of this paper in Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria and other climes having the same or similar environmental factors and challenges