Font size:
Print
Socio-Economic and Nutritional Impacts of Recurrent Floods in Assam
Context:
Assam, a key gateway to India’s North-East, experiences recurrent floods with significant socio-economic and nutritional impacts, especially on vulnerable groups.
- Over 39.58% of Assam’s land area is flood-prone, nearly four times higher than the national average.
Impact on Food Production and Livelihoods
- Annual floods disrupt food production, supply chains, and livelihoods, leading to food shortages and economic instability.
- The char-chaporis (riverine islands) in Brahmaputra and Barak valleys face the worst impacts, affecting over 30 districts annually.
- In Majuli, recurrent floods destroy fertile land, agriculture, and displace thousands, with nearly 9,000 hectares of crops destroyed in 2008 floods.
Nutritional Deficiencies and Health Crisis
- Flood-prone areas in Assam exhibit poorer nutritional status than other regions.
- In Barpeta, 45.5% of children under five were moderately underweight, and 24.2% severely underweight during major floods.
- High rates of stunting (47.6%), moderate wasting (46.1%), and severe wasting (20.6%) were reported in Morigaon.
- Among children aged 24-35 months, 50.9% severe underweight prevalence highlights a dire nutritional crisis.
Challenges in Majuli
- Majuli, one of the world’s largest river islands, faces unique challenges due to its topography and hydrological network.
- Floods disrupt infrastructure, leaving settlements inundated and damaging roads and embankments that often worsen flood patterns.
- Climate change exacerbates these issues, leading to unpredictable flooding, prolonged droughts, and rising temperatures.
Food Security and Intergenerational Health Risks
- Flood-induced malnutrition severely affects children and pregnant women, causing stunted growth, weakened immunity, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
- Nutritional insecurity perpetuates an intergenerational cycle of poor health in flood-affected communities.
Erosion of Livelihoods and Deepened Poverty
- Frequent floods erode livelihoods and deepen poverty, creating a cycle of vulnerability and risk aversion in households.
- The unpredictability of floods hinders income generation and limits recovery opportunities.
Proposed Sustainable Strategies
- Promote flood-tolerant farming practices and diversified livelihoods to reduce reliance on vulnerable agriculture.
- Enhance nutrient-rich food aid, healthcare access, and availability of clean water to address the nutritional crisis.
- Raise awareness about hygiene and flood preparedness to mitigate health risks during disasters.
- Restore floodplains and preserve wetlands to manage water flow and reduce flood intensity.
- Strengthen disaster management policies, including early warning systems and efficient relief operations, to minimise displacement and losses.
- Prioritise community-driven approaches focusing on sustainable development and environmental conservation.
