Various methods have been utilized to investigate and mitigate flood occurrences, yet there is a paucity of literature on factors, such as soil compositions, that contribute to persistent flooding in river basins like the Lower Niger catchment, specifically at Onitsha. Furthermore, the study seeks to furnish essential geospatial data concerning flood vulnerability, flood risks, and exposure rates in the Lower Niger Catchment area, situated in Onitsha, southeastern Nigeria.
Soil samples were collected from 10 specific locations identified through GPS and ground-truthing techniques. Additionally, satellite imagery from the Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM +) was utilized, with supervised classification employed to extract feature classes. Analysis operations were conducted using IDRISI software, resulting in the creation of digital elevation models (DEMs), susceptibility maps, and flood-risk zones.
Analysis revealed that the predominant soil composition in the study area comprises sandy (84.8%), silt (8.1%), and clayey (7.1%) soils. Utilizing these soil characteristics alongside relevant aerial data, exposure rates were determined at various scales to delineate the most flood-vulnerable zones in the basin. It was found that certain areas, accommodating a population exceeding 79,426 across 2,926.2 ha, were particularly susceptible to flooding. Notably, major markets such as Bridgehead, Textile, and Biafra were identified as highly susceptible, with varying degrees of risk. The prevalence of sandy soil, which facilitates increased rainwater infiltration but is also prone to rapid saturation and runoff, likely contributes to the heightened susceptibility to flooding in these areas.
Geospatial analysis employing remote sensing data indicates the high susceptibility and exposure to flooding in the lower Niger River Basin around Onitsha. Urgent mitigation efforts are imperative, necessitating the establishment of zoned areas equipped with effective drainage systems to safeguard vulnerable populations.