Assessing Flood Vulnerability Index for Policy Implications Towards Flood Risk Management Along the Atlantic Coast of Limbe, Cameroon

Abstract

Floods along the Atlantic coast of Limbe are the most predominant natural disaster posing serious threats to man and the environment. Without adequate information about the risk levels and why the implementation of locally appropriate adaptation measures are less effective, flood disasters will continue to become more rampant and disastrous. The ability to accurately identify, measure and evaluate the various vulnerabilities of affected people and communities is a right step towards reducing disaster risk. This article focuses on developing a Flood Vulnerability Index (FVI) based on exposure, susceptibility and resilience factors that will guide putting in place specific adaptation plans targeted at reducing the impacts of floods. The study made use of the mixed research design method. Reponses were gathered from 183 respondents using questionnaires and focus group discussions (FGD) from household heads to construct an integrated vulnerability index made up of 22 indicators grouped into susceptibility indicators (15), resilience (5) and exposure (2). A handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) was used in the measurement of distance and elevation. Data collected was subjected to analysis of variance to test if significant differences in vulnerability exist within the neighborhoods and the level of success of adaptation strategies was also investigated. Findings show that Motowo and Church Street have very small vulnerability to floods, Cassava Farm and Clerks Quarters have high vulnerability to floods and Down Beach with an index of 0.84 has a very high vulnerable to floods. From the results coastal communities are significantly different (p < 0.01) in terms of vulnerability to flood hazards. A total of 19.39% of the population highlighted that the adaptation strategies put in place to help combat floods in their neighborhoods are effective while 80.61% of the respondents decried that the measures were not effective. Coping strategies need to take into consideration the myriad of factors involved in the determination of vulnerability so as to help putting in place a comprehensive multi-risk adaptation strategy. Policies implications of the results warrant a conscious effort by the council to clear chocked gutters, culverts and major drains to ease water flow especially during the rainy seasons and local authorities and ministries must make sure proper land use plans are in place and are enforced without any fear or favor so as to ensure resilience to flood risks.