ASSESSING FLOOD RISK KNOWLEDGE AND ADAPTATION CAPACITY OF INDIVIDUALS: THE CASE OF THUCHILA RIVER AT NKANDO, MULANJE

The study aimed at assessing flood risk knowledge and adaptation capacity of individuals at Nkando in Group Village Headman Kalilima. The study used primary data only. A questionnaire was administered to a randomly selected 82 participants as a sample size. Key Informant Interview was done with the group village headman and the chairperson of Village Civil Protection Committee. The data was then entered in Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS). A series of independent t-test and spearman’s correlation were carried out in the analysis stage of the study. Upon the completion of the data analysis, it was determined that risk knowledge is driven or affected by some social variables in the community. Gender, education, type of residence, length of residence and flood experience were among the factors that were deemed significant in terms of the effect they have on flood risk knowledge. It was also established that risk knowledge does play a part in shaping the adaptation capacity of individuals. Stacks of Sand bags, temporary and permanent relocation were some of the common adaptation measures that the participants undertake. An overall analysis of the mean percentages proved that the level of risk knowledge is low resulting from low levels of disaster risk awareness and low participatory and community centred disaster risk management or reduction activities. Recommendations were made that further studies should prioritize on comprehensive survey methods. Focus groups should be used as they allow individuals to be more flexible and open up to express their knowledge and concerns. A standardized sample size should be a priority to avoid biased results. More variables like amount of individual or household earnings and trust in official sources of flood risk information should be considered in further studies.

Upon the completion of the data analysis, it was determined that risk knowledge is driven or affected by some social variables in the community. Gender, education, type of residence, length of residence and flood experience were among the factors that were deemed significant in terms of the effect they have on flood risk knowledge. An overall analysis of the mean percentages proved that the level of risk knowledge is low resulting from low levels of disaster risk awareness and low participatory and community centred disaster risk management or reduction activities. More variables like amount of individual or household earnings and trust in official sources of flood risk information should be considered in further studies.

Nkando community is located in Mulanje at 15.91660S and 35.35930E latitude and longitude respectively. It a big trading surrounded by villages. To the east of this trading there runs Thuchila River. Thuchila River extends from Mulanje Mountain which receives more rainfall contributing to high amount water volume in the river. Till recently, 2015, this area has considered flood prone than it was twenty years ago. Climate change that leads to unprecedented amount of precipitation and also human activities pertaining to land use have exacerbate flood risk.
During rainy season the river burst into its banks causing widespread damage to properties and even fatalities. The flooding is mainly triggered at the confluence of Thuchila and Nkondez Rivers. Nearly 70% of the households that are living within 500m from the river have suffered flooding some twice or three times with 2015 and 2019 floods being the devastating ones. Despite the fact that stakeholders have constructed a dyke to protect the community from flooding, still water do overflow the dyke though without much destruction than when there was no dyke.

Traditional authority: TA Nkanda

District: Mulanje

Coordinates: -15.8476, 35.4729