Causes of seasonal flooding in Makurdi Benue, Nigeria.

Makurdi is the capital of the Benue state, Nigeria. The city is in North central Nigeria along the Benue River, the population of the city was 500,797 (Benue state population commission 2007).

The city is the home to Benue State University and University of Agriculture Makurdi. The major ethnic groups are Tiv, Idoma, Igede and Etulo. Makurdi is predominantly an agricultural catchment area specializing in cash crops and subsistence crops.

Flood (or flooding) is a natural event or occurrence where a piece of land or area that is usually dry land, suddenly gets submerged under water. Some floods can occur suddenly and recede quickly. Others take days or even months to build and discharge.

Flooding is extremely dangerous and has the potential to wipe away an entire city, coastline or area, and cause extensive damage to life and property. It also has great erosive power and can be extremely destructive, even if it is a foot high.

The several factors and their implication for flooding in Makurdi which is in the flood plains of the River Benue. The annual rainfall of Makurdi between 1979 and 2008 was an analyzed for annual totals, intensity, frequency, peak periods and trend to demonstrate propensity to cause flooding while records on relief, water table, urbanization and the river Benue were examined for their contribution. Amongst other things, area of low relief in Makurdi are susceptible to seasonal flooding between June and October In Makurdi town. Heavy, intense rainfall and the River Benue spilling its banks are the major causes of floods in Makurdi town. Other factors which intensify flooding in Makurdi town include its low relief, high water table, urbanization and human activities (Ar Clement 2012).