FLOOD RISK: CAUSES, SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS AND COPING STRATEGIES IN HIRNA TOWN, WEST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA NATIONAL REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Flooding is the most common destructive natural event globally. The impact of flooding is very severe in developing countries. As a developing country, Ethiopia is one of the victims of flooding. Flooding occurs when a body of water rises to overflow land which normally not submerged. This study was conducted with the main objective of assessing flood risk; causes and socioeconomic impacts in the Hirna Town, West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. In order to meet the intended objectives, the study have been used descriptive survey research methods employed both quantitative and qualitative approaches and purposive sampling technique to select study area. The research employed survey questionnaire, key informant interview, focus group discussion, field observation and document reviews. The data obtained through questionnaire, key informant interview and focus group discussion were analyzed using simple descriptive statistical methods using Statistical Package for the social sciences software and the result was presented by percentages, charts, and graphs. The finding of the study confirmed that the main causes floods in Hirna town were the combined effects of human induced and natural causes. Besides, lack of drainage system (31.4%), poor drainage lines (10.8%), heavy rain falls (15.7%), topographic nature of town (19.8%), lack of vegetation (12.4%) and urbanization (9.9%) including improper waste disposal along flood plains contributed for the generation of floods. These driving factors have impacted on the losses of human life (4.1%), displaced peoples by destroyed their houses (35.5%), household equipment loss (25.6%), other social problems like induced water borne diseases (31.4%), and impacts on teaching learning process (15.7%). In addition, flood destroyed different infrastructure (29.8%), destroyed agricultural or garden (13.2%), and disturb economic activity (16.5%) on the residents of the case site. Finally, based on the results the study recommends appropriate strategies to bring flood resilience in the case site such as sustainable drainage system, upgrading the building infrastructure or rehabilitation of the existing drainage lines, relocation of households from floodplains, developing watershed management proper disposal of refuse and enhancing the local coping strategy are recommended solutions to the problem.