THE IMPACT OF FLOODING ON RURAL COMMUNITIES IN AKWA IBOM STATE

The increased intensity of farming and development in rural communities in Akwa Ibom State has given rise to land sites that have larger portions of non–permeable surfaces and alteration in the topography of the rural environment. A problem caused by little or no drainage and in some cases overloaded drainage infrastructure. This situation combined with the intense rainfall cause by climatic changes in the rural communities gives rise to flooding in different rural communities in Akwa Ibom State. Flooding being one of the major ways water is introduced into building construction environment and farm land raises the cost of building since it impedes the construction and may eventually cause costly damage to the building and also rendered challenges in agricultural practices since the farmland is covered by flood. This study has identified flood-prone areas in rural communities in Akwa Ibom State and has recommended measures to be taken in order to mitigate its effects on buildings, human, plants and animals.