ASSESSING THE EFFECTS OF FLOODING ON ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE AND HOUSEHOLD LIVELIHOODS IN DOMA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

F looding remains one of the most devastating natural hazards affecting transportation infrastructure and the socioeconomic well-being of communities in developing countries. In Nigeria, recurrent flood events have increasingly disrupted road networks, damaged public infrastructure, restricted mobility, and undermined household livelihoods, particularly in vulnerable rural and semi-urban settlements. Despite various flood management initiatives, limited empirical evidence exists on the combined impacts of flooding on road infrastructure and the living conditions of affected households in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. This study therefore examined the effects of flooding on road infrastructure and household livelihoods in Doma Local Government Area, with the aim of providing evidence to support sustainable flood risk management and infrastructure resilience. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted, integrating field observations with structured questionnaire administration among residents of flood-prone communities. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were employed to analyze the data, while Geographic Information System (GIS)-based evidence from the broader study provided contextual understanding of flood vulnerability within the study area. The findings revealed that recurrent flooding significantly deteriorates road infrastructure through pavement failures, erosion, drainage blockage, and bridge damage, leading to reduced accessibility, increased transportation costs, disruption of economic activities, and adverse effects on household livelihoods. The study further established that inadequate drainage systems, poor land-use management, and increasing rainfall intensity contribute substantially to the severity of flood impacts. The study concludes that strengthening resilient road infrastructure, enforcing sustainable land-use planning, improving drainage systems, and adopting integrated flood risk management strategies are critical for reducing infrastructure losses and enhancing community resilience. The findings provide valuable evidence for policymakers, infrastructure planners, disaster risk management agencies, and development partners seeking to improve climate adaptation and sustainable transportation systems in flood-prone regions of Nigeria.