ASSESSMENT OF 2024 FLOOD IMPACT IN GWANGE WARD, MAIDUGURI METROPOLIS, BORNO STATE

This study assesses the socio-economic and environmental impacts of the 2024 flood events in Gwange Ward, Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Borno State. The research was motivated by the increasing frequency and severity of urban flooding in Maiduguri, with Gwange Ward being particularly vulnerable due to its high population density, flat topography, and inadequate drainage infrastructure. The study aimed to identify the causes of flooding, evaluate its multi-faceted impacts, and examine community coping strategies. A mixed-methods research design was employed, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. A structured questionnaire was administered to 130 randomly sampled households from a frame of 4,200 affected homes. This was complemented by Key Informant Interviews with ten stakeholders, including community leaders, health workers, and officials from disaster management and environmental agencies. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, with results presented in frequency tables and percentages. The findings reveal that the primary cause of flooding, as perceived by 84.6% of respondents, is blocked drainage channels, exacerbated by heavy rainfall and poor urban planning. The 2024 floods had devastating consequences: 62.3% of houses sustained major damage, while 18.5% were completely destroyed. Significant socio-economic impacts included severe disruption to livelihoods, particularly in the informal sector (petty trading and artisanship), which constitutes the economic base for most residents. Health impacts were profound, with a high incidence of malaria and waterborne diseases reported. In response, the community relied predominantly on informal coping mechanisms, including temporary relocation and social support networks, as institutional aid was found to be inadequate. The study concludes that the 2024 floods in Gwange Ward were a product of both natural hazards and human-induced vulnerabilities, stemming from infrastructural deficits and weak urban governance. It recommends a shift from reactive response to proactive, integrated flood risk management. Key recommendations include immediate and sustained investment in drainage clearance and construction, the establishment of formal Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction committees, the provision of livelihood support to enhance economic resilience, and the development of high-resolution flood risk maps to guide future planning and interventions.