An Assessment of Socio – Economic Impacts of Rainstorm as A Meteorological Hazard in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Rainstorm is one of the meteorological hazards ravaging Nigeria annually. This hazard is likely to remain so unless if serious researches are conducted on it with adequate measures not only suggested, but also adopted to mitigate it. This research assessed the socio – economic impacts of rainstorm as a meteorological hazard in Lokoja Local Government Area (LGA), Kogi State, Nigeria. The aim of this research is to assess the socio – economic impacts of rainstorm which occurred on 8th May, 2011 in the study area, while the objectives include: to confirm the occurrence of rain storm in the study area, to ascertain the degree of damage done by the hazard, to assess the social impact of the havoc, to assess the economic implication of the hazard and to proffer solutions to the menace. The data used included a set of questionnaire made up of questions and options from which the victims of the rainstorm were expected to select one (1) correct option, the weather (sunshine hours, temperature, evaporation, relative humidity, cloud cover, visibility, wind direction, wind speed and rainfall) of Lokoja on 8th May, 2011 obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Oshodi, Lagos, and the record of rain storm in Lokoja LGA on 8th May, 2011 obtained from the Lokoja LGA Emergency Management Agency. The data were presented in tables and followed with discussion. The results showed that seventeen (17) localities were affected by rainstorm with many houses blown off thereby bringing about socio - economic hardship on the victims in particular. Some general measures suggested to mitigate the effect of rainstorm include: proper building design / renovation, proper town planning and adequate weather forecast.