International Journal of Advances in Engineering and Management (IJAEM) Volume 4, Issue 1, Jan 2022 pp: 1203-1213 www.ijaem.net ISSN: 2395-5252 DOI: 10.35629/5252-040112031213 | Impact Factor value 7.429 | ISO 9001: 2008 Certified Journal Page 1203 Impact of Floods on Lives and Livelihoods of People in Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria. OLORUNLANA, FOLASADE ADERONKE Department Of Geography And Planning Sciencs, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria OGUNADE, ADEBOLA OLUWAKAYODE Department Of Geography And Planning Sciencs, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Submission: 18-01-2022 Revised: 28-01-2022 Acceptance: 31-01-2022 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABSTRACT Flooding has been a seasonal challenges in Akungba-Akoko in Ondo State in recent times. The study area experience flood regularly most especially during and after rains. This study assesses how Akungba-Akoko have been affected by flood as it takes a look at the devastating impacts on lives and livelihoods of people. Data were collected through the use of structured questionnaire from the respondents. A total of three hundred and fifty (350) questionnaires were administered to the respondents in the study area. The questionnaires were distributed using the systematic random technique at interval of ten housing units. Data collected were analyzed through the use of descriptive statistical analysis and presented using tables. The study reveals that the major cause of flood in the study area was high intensity of rainfall (19.4%) followed by indiscriminate waste disposal (18.9%). Also, blockage of natural and artificial waterways (17.7%) and proximity of houses to riverbanks (16.6%) have contributed to the regular occurrence of flood in the area. Poor drainage system (15.1%) and improper planning and poor land use (12.3%) also contributed to flood in the area. The study recommends enforcement of environmental laws that will restrict dumping of waste into the water body and sponsoring of public awareness and educative programs on how man's activities has contributed to flood occurrence. KEYWORDS: Floods, Causes, Impacts I. INTRODUCTION Flood is the most common natural disasters, their frequency, magnitude and the cost of damage are on the rise all over the world. Flood is a body of water which overflow swathes of land not normally inundated (Duru et al., 2014). Flooding, according to Geo-science Australia (2013) can simply be described as “water where it is not wanted”. It can also be conceptualized as a situation that results when a part of the earth surface that is usually dry is inundated and covered with water due to high amount of rainfall or the over flowing of a water body. Flooding is a general temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry areas from overflow of inland or tidal waters or from unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff (Jeb and Aggarwal, 2005). Documental evidence showed that it all started with the Noachian deluge when the surface of the earth was submerged by water orchestrated by unabated torrential rainfall which led to the extermination of mankind with the sole exclusion of Noah’s household (Olatona et al., 2017). The forgoing narrative thus suggest the necessity on the part of man to mitigate the effects of flooding in his environment by ensuring that all vulnerable landscape is identified and precautionary measures are put in place to tackle the impending challenge headlong. In Nigeria, floods cause almost 90% of damages resulting from natural hazards Adeoye et al., 2009). Flooding are common features in Nigeria which occurs in towns on flat or low lying terrain especially where little or no provision has been made for surface drainage or when existing drainage has been blocked with municipal waste, refuses and eroded soil sediments (Folorunsho and Awosika, 2021). The effects of floods are always debilitating, though their intensity and scope vary depending on terrain, intensity of human activities, quantum of water and the level of preparedness by the stakeholders. Flooding is a global phenomenon