Analysing Vulnerabilities of local communities to flood disasters in the Lower Rufiji Floodplain, Tanzania

Abstract

Climate change scenario shows that areas with bimodal rainfall pattern and major riverbasins including the Rufiji basin are anticipated to receive an increase of rainfall intensity by 5% to 45%, with a decrease of raining seasons. This incident is expected toupsurge the frequency and magnitude of extreme flood events and cause seriousdevastations to vulnerable communities. This paper examined the progression offactors causing community vulnerability to flood disasters as basis for developingappropriate flood risk reduction strategies. Data collection methods involvedhousehold survey, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, remote sensing andhydrological analysis. The household survey and hydrological data were analysed usingStatistical Packages for Social Science and Trend Analysis software. Data from focusgroup discussion and interviews were triangulated with community duringparticipatory discussions. Results showed high degree of community vulnerability toflood impacts extending from geographical, social, economic, political andenvironmental factors. The catchment delineation model showed that the communityis geographically located in flood hazardous areas because the river networks flow intothe study area. Also, severity of flood impacts was locally related by the recent influx ofcattle in the area which has contributed to land degradation, increased runoff andsiltation of the Rufiji river. Furthermore, lack of access to social services such aseducation, health, water and sanitation facilities were found to largely reduce socioeconomicabilities while illuminating underlying vulnerabilities of study communities to flood impacts.The findings suggested combining underlying and immediate factors in reducing future communityvulnerability to flood disasters.Keywords:Climate change; Vulnerability; Flood disaster; Community vulnerability;Floodplain, Rufiji.