ASSESSMENT OF ADAPTATION STRATEGIES TO FLOODING IMPACTS: A CASE STUDY IN SIPAJHAR DEVELOPMENT BLOCK OF DARRANG DISTRICT, ASSAM

Floods are the most dangerous and widespread natural disastrous which plays tremendous pressure on the dwellers and constitutes threats to lives, property and the built environment. The study area Sipajhar Development Block, built under flood environment which is the integral part of the fluvial regime of the mighty River Brahmaputra and its tributaries like Nonoi, Barnadi and Saktola. Due to its topographical and hydrological characteristics floods plays havoc every year and the socioeconomic and cultural aspect of the dwellers is greatly influenced by the natural disaster. Extensive field study is carried out to find out the ground reality and also to achieve the desired objectives of the study. A pre tested questionnaire was incorporated to interview the respondent to find out the perception of the dwellers about the climatic disaster and their chosen adaptation alternatives. The main objective of the research is to identify the perception of the dwellers regarding their livelihood option and to prioritize the adaptation option to minimise their vulnerability. Although the risk from such disastrous cannot be eliminated, however some adaptation techniques can reduce the vulnerability and sustain the built environment. It is found that the dwellers in the extreme flood hazard areas adapt alternative crop pattern and select occupation with season to overcome the natural disaster and their socio cultural differences have a strong influence upon disaster response.