Authors : Ugwuegbulam Joe Chibuike; Chidiebere Ugwuegbulam; Mandlenkosi Khumalo; Egbukichi Ugonna Johnbull; Nnoshiri Ike Godswill; Murungi Priscilla

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 7 - July

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/4ezucds5

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/5bauddz9

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jul969

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Background: Climate change has increased the occurrence of extreme weather events, including severe rainstorms that cause environmental damage and socioeconomic disruption, especially in vulnerable rural communities. This study explored the environmental impacts of the April 2021 rainstorm in Oforola Ancient Kingdom, Imo State, Nigeria.  Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 68 affected residents, field observations of 34 households, and review of four documentary sources. Participants were purposively selected, and data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis approach guided by the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.  Results: The rainstorm caused extensive environmental and infrastructural damage. Two major themes emerged: environmental destruction and household resource losses; and infrastructure damage, displacement, and livelihood disruption. Participants reported flooding, environmental contamination concerns, destruction of vegetation and economic trees, loss of household resources, damaged residential buildings, electricity disruption, and livelihood challenges. Field observations confirmed substantial damage to homes, roads, electricity infrastructure, and vegetation, with approximately 50 residential buildings partially or completely affected.  Conclusion: The April 2021 rainstorm significantly affected the environment, infrastructure, and livelihoods of residents in Oforola Ancient Kingdom. The findings highlight the vulnerability of rural communities to climate-related hazards and emphasize the need for climate-resilient infrastructure, improved disaster preparedness, environmental health surveillance, and community-based adaptation strategies.

Keywords : Climate Change; Extreme Rainfall; Rainstorm; Environmental Impacts; Disaster Risk Reduction; Rural Nigeria.

References :

1. Ahern, M., Kovats, R. S., Wilkinson, P., Few, R., & Matthies, F. (2005). Global health impacts of floods: Epidemiologic evidence. Epidemiologic Reviews, 27(1), 36–46. https://doi.org/10.1093/epirev/mxi004
2. Amoako, C., & Inkoom, D. K. B. (2021). The production of flood vulnerability in urban Ghana: Understanding the role of socio-economic and environmental factors. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 54, 102020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102020
3. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
4. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2021). The impact of disasters and crises on agriculture and food security 2021. FAO.
5. Graveline, M.-H., & Germain, D. (2022). Disaster risk resilience: Conceptual evolution, key issues, and opportunities. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 13(3), 330–341.
6. Hallegatte, S., Rentschler, J., & Rozenberg, J. (2019). Lifelines: The resilient infrastructure opportunity. World Bank.
7. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2023). Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. IPCC. https://doi.org/10.59327/IPCC/AR6-9789291691647 (Biblio)
8. Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage Publications.
9. Lu, Y., Wang, Y., & Zhan, C. (2023). Building rural community disaster resilience in developing countries: Insights from a Chinese NGO's Safe Rural Community programme. Disasters, 47(4), 1090–1117.
10. Myhre, G., Alterskjær, K., Stjern, C. W., Hodnebrog, Ø., Marelle, L., Samset, B. H., Sillmann, J., Schaller, N., Fischer, E., Schulz, M., & Stohl, A. (2019). Frequency of extreme precipitation increases extensively with event rareness under global warming. Scientific Reports, 9, 16063. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-52277-4
11. National Emergency Management Agency. (2023). Annual Disaster Situation Report. Abuja, Nigeria.
12. Nigerian Meteorological Agency. (2023). Seasonal Climate Prediction and Climate Variability Assessment for Nigeria. Abuja, Nigeria.
13. Nkwunonwo, U. C., Whitworth, M., & Baily, B. (2020). A review of the current status of flood modelling for urban flood risk management in developing countries. Scientific African, 7, e00269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2019.e00269
14. Palinkas, L. A., Horwitz, S. M., Green, C. A., Wisdom, J. P., Duan, N., & Hoagwood, K. (2015). Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed method implementation research. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 42(5), 533–544. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-013-0528-y
15. Sandelowski, M. (2000). Whatever happened to qualitative description? Research in Nursing & Health, 23(4), 334–340.
16. Serdeczny, O., Adams, S., Baarsch, F., Coumou, D., Robinson, A., Hare, W., Schaeffer, M., Perrette, M., & Reinhardt, J. (2017). Climate change impacts in Sub-Saharan Africa: From physical changes to their social repercussions. Regional Environmental Change, 17, 1585–1600.
17. Udo, F., & Naidu, M. (2023). Exploring Black African women's experiences of vulnerability and adaptation to flood impacts in the eThekwini metropolitan municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 93, 103798.
18. United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. (2015). Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. UNDRR.
19. United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. (2023). Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction 2023: Our World at Risk—Transforming Governance for a Resilient Future. UNDRR.
20. Wen, J., Wan, C., Ye, Q., Yan, J., & Li, W. (2023). Disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and their linkages with sustainable development over the past 30 years: A review. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 14, 1–13.
21. World Health Organization. (2022). Flooding and health: Technical guidance. World Health Organization. (World Health Organization).
22. World Meteorological Organization. (2024). State of the Global Climate 2023. World Meteorological Organization. (World Meteorological Organization).