Sawla town is geographically inscribed by the chains of mountain range from south to west, and from west to north. And the main town is dissected by two crossing rivers namely, ‘Womba and Cholea’. Due to increasing demographic dynamics of the town accompanied by rapid urbanization, demand of land for housing is higher than that of the available recognized land under the municipal authority; hence informal settlement patterns are becoming the usual trend especially towards ecologically sensitive boundaries of the town which is characterized by mountain hill sides, sloppy forest land and gully structures and the two river plains. As a result of deforestation and impermeable coverings by construction, the capacity of the natural land feature to infiltrate and percolate rain precipitation is decreasing from time to time with the subsequent increase in surface runoff conveyed to water bodies across drainages and urban storm ways. This trend of increase in surface runoff is featuring Sawla town by seasonal flooding calamity with a serious social, economic and environmental impact especially encountered by poor vulnerable communities. Therefore the purpose of this study is to assess seasonal flooding vulnerability, cause and impact in Sawla town by then suggesting feasible recommendation to mitigate the impact of seasonal flooding on the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of the town. A descriptive research type was employed to describe the cause and impacts of seasonal flooding on vulnerable communities of the town. Reliable data have been gathered from 163 (93% response rate) randomly selected respondents founded from four kebeles (Zirko, Botre, Kera and Kusti) of the town through questionnaire, interview and observation. Based on the data obtained from the field and secondary data sets, urbanization and informal settlement, deforestation, rainfall variability as climatic change and inadequacy of infrastructure are identified causes of seasonal flooding in the town. This seasonal flooding trend produced serious social, economic and environmental damages in Sawla town.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Background
1.3 Statement of the Problem
1.4 Research Objectievs
1.4.1 General Objective
1.4.2 Specific Objectievs of the Study
1.5. Research Questions
1.6 Significance of the study
1.7 Scope of the study
1.8 Description of the study area
1.8.1 Location
1.8.2 Demographic Data
Chapter Two
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Definitions and Concepts of Flooding
2.3 Causes of Flooding in Urban Areas
2.3.1 Urbanization
2.3.2 Deforestation
2.3.3 Climate Change
2.4 Vulnerability of People to Floods
2.4.1 A Vulnerability Framework
2.5 Flooding and its Impact
2.5.1 Economic Impact of Flooding
2.5.2 Social Impacts
2.5.3 Environmental Impact
2.6 Coping Strategies
2.7 Aspects of Flood in Urban Context
2.8 Flood Management
2.8.1Management of Urban Drainage
2.9 Flood Vulnerability, Impact and Coping Strategies in interantional perspectieve
2.9.1. Flooding Impact and Coping Strategy in Scotland
2.9.2 Flooding Impact and Coping Strategy in Korail, Dhaka
2.9.3. Flood Impact and Proactive measurs in Mumbai, India
2.10 Flood Disaster Profile of Ethiopia
2.10.1 Policies and Institutional Frameworks Related to Disaster In Ethiopia
Chapter Three
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Research approach
3.3 Research Methods
3.3.1 Research techniques and instrumentations
3.4 Sampling design
3.4.1 Population
3.4.2 Sampling Frame
3.4.3 Sampling Unit
3.4.4 Sampling techniques
3.4.5 Sample Size
3.4.6 Sample
3.5 Source of Data
3.6 Data Analysis and Interpretations
3.7 Data presentation
3.8 Limitations of the study
3.9 Conclusion
Chapter Four
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Socio-economic Data of Respondents
4.3.3 Result and Finding
4.3.1 Vulnerability of People to Seasonal Flooding in Sawla Town
4.3.2 Causes of Seasonal Flooding in Sawla Town
4.3.3 Impacts of Seasonal Flooding in Sawla Town
4.3.4 Coping Strategies and Adaptations to Flooding in Sawla Town
4.4 Interpretation and Discussion
4.4.1 Vulnerability of People to Seasonal Flooding in Sawla Town
4.4.2 Causes of Seasonal Flooding in Sawla Town
4.4.3 Impacts of Seasonal Flooding in Sawla Town
4.4.4 Coping strategies to adapt seasonal flooding in Sawla town
4.5 Conclusion
Chapter Five
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Conclusions
5.3 Recommendations
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this research is to assess the impact of seasonal flooding and the coping strategies employed by the affected communities in Sawla Town, Ethiopia. The study seeks to investigate the underlying causes of flooding—including rapid urbanization, deforestation, and climate variability—and to analyze how these factors contribute to the vulnerability of the local population. By identifying the social, economic, and environmental impacts of these flood events, the research aims to provide actionable recommendations for municipal disaster management and sustainable urban planning.
- Vulnerability and risk assessment of urban settlements in Sawla Town.
- Identification of primary drivers of seasonal flooding, such as land-use changes and infrastructure deficits.
- Analysis of the social and economic impacts on vulnerable households and infrastructure.
- Evaluation of existing community-based coping mechanisms and institutional preparedness.
- Development of strategic policy recommendations for effective flood mitigation and management.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Introduction
Climate change is one of the greatest environmental, social and economic threats faced by the planet. Climate change scenarios generally imply an increase in rainfall variability and, on global average, an increase in total precipitation, which could lead to even more frequent and severe natural disaster such as drought and floods (Elisabetta, 2006). Floods are natural and seasonal phenomena that play an important environmental role. However, human settlements interfere with flood patterns, majoring their magnitude and frequency of occurrence, turning higher the associated level of risk regarding people, buildings and economic activities. Urban floods range from localized micro-drainage problems, inundating streets and troubling pedestrians and urban traffic, to major inundation of large portions of the cities, when both micro and macro-drainage fail to accomplish their basic functions (Miguez and Magalhaes, 2009). These can lead to material losses to buildings and their contents, damage to urban infrastructure and residential housing in a village.
This study focuses on seasonal flooding, impacts and responses to flood risk among the urban residents living in the highly vulnerable area of Sawla town and those living along the ‘Womba and cholea’ river plains with in the town. It explores the underlying vulnerability of the area, impacts and challenges of how effectively to shape human and institutional responses to the risk of natural disasters with a special focus on seasonal floods.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter One: This chapter provides an introduction to the global and local context of urban flooding, defines the problem statement, and outlines the research objectives, questions, and the geographical scope of the study in Sawla Town.
Chapter Two: This chapter presents a comprehensive literature review regarding definitions of flooding, causes in urban settings (urbanization, deforestation, climate change), vulnerability frameworks, and management strategies, including international perspectives.
Chapter Three: This chapter details the research methodology, including the descriptive research approach, sampling designs, data collection instruments (questionnaires, interviews, observations), and the methods used for data analysis and presentation.
Chapter Four: This chapter analyzes the findings from the field survey, including socio-economic data of respondents, the causes and impacts of seasonal flooding in Sawla Town, and the adaptation strategies used by the local community.
Chapter Five: This chapter concludes the study by summarizing the findings and providing specific recommendations to the Sawla Town administration for improved flood disaster management, urban planning, and institutional framework development.
Keywords
Seasonal Flooding, Sawla Town, Urbanization, Deforestation, Climate Change, Vulnerability, Coping Strategies, Urban Management, Disaster Risk Reduction, Infrastructure, Public Health, Land Use, Ethiopia, Socio-economic Impact, Environmental Management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this study?
The study focuses on assessing the causes, social and economic impacts, and coping strategies related to seasonal flooding in Sawla Town, Southern Ethiopia.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The research covers urban vulnerability, the role of urbanization and deforestation in flood frequency, the socio-economic effects on local residents, and the current state of disaster management and early warning systems.
What is the core objective of the research?
The goal is to analyze the vulnerability of communities living in flood-prone areas of Sawla Town and to suggest practical recommendations for local authorities to mitigate future flood risks.
Which scientific methods were employed?
The study utilized a descriptive research design, employing a mixed-method approach (qualitative and quantitative) including surveys with 151 household respondents, structured interviews with municipal officials, and field observations.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body examines the theoretical background of flooding, provides an analysis of primary data collected in Sawla Town regarding land acquisition and flooding, and explores the impact of environmental factors and management deficiencies.
Which keywords characterize this thesis?
Key terms include Seasonal Flooding, Sawla Town, Urbanization, Deforestation, Vulnerability, Coping Strategies, and Disaster Risk Reduction.
How does unplanned urbanization contribute to flooding in Sawla Town?
According to the findings, unplanned urbanization leads to the encroachment of informal settlements into ecologically sensitive areas like river banks and steep slopes, which are then prone to overflow and lack proper drainage infrastructure.
What role does the local municipality play in flood management?
The study reveals that there is currently no independent institutional structure in Sawla Town specifically mandated for flooding emergency planning, which significantly limits the municipality's ability to provide effective early warnings or disaster mitigation.
- Quote paper
- Aman Asefa Senbeto (Author), 2012, Seasonal Flooding Vulnerability, Cause, Impact and Coping Strategies in Southern Ethiopia Urban Areas. The Case of Sawla Town, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/449070
