Impacts of flood on Char livelihoods and its adaptation techniques by the local people

Abstract

The study showed that most of the farmers (81.81%) in char area of flood lands were affected by flood as their crops were washed away by flood water as agricultural lands (59%) were inundated in a high magnitude flood. During flood, almost 88.89% farmers pass their days having no alternative occupation, and cannot afford to meet basic needs of their family as most of the Char lands were inundated for about two or three months, resulting in no crop production during that period. People reside in roads, schools and even on the top of the roof as there was no flood shelter in the study area. Besides these, rehabilitation programs were also not sufficient. It is also revealed that siltation over agricultural land reduces its fertility and productivity. To cope with this problem, people of Char land formulated and undertaken various adaptation techniques in their own way which varies depending on their socio-economic and environmental aspects, such as education, income, occupations and living conditions, as there was no organizational support. Finally, the study recommended that the policy makers and implementers along with non-governmental organizations should take their own responsibilities focusing the devastating situation of the previous flood in the study area. Also, the farmers should grow the flood tolerant varieties of crops in the area to mitigate loss of production and to lead a sustainable life.

Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 28(2): 123-135, Dec-2015