| The present comprehensive study is a joint research study by ICHARM/PWRI and NDRI,Nepal aimed at investigating the rootcauses of flood disasters in West Rapti river basin in Nepal and devising strategy to manage flood with community-based approach by targeting improvement in the resilience of the community within the broader framework of enhancing livelihood options and poverty alleviation. This phase i.e. first phase of the study has focused on the investigation of socio-economic impact of flood in the lower part of the basin. It has been found that the anthropogenic factors like construction of poorly designed infrastructures,river training works on an ad-hoc basis,and control of river flow through construction of barrage, levees etc are the culprits for the increasing flood extent in the study area. As aconsequence, huge amount of agricultural land has been damaged due to the deposition of sand and bank cutting. This leads to affect greatly the livelihood of local people,who are based on agriculture. The nexus between poverty and the increased flood risk in the study area is clearly seen. Currently, local people are using their beliefs, local knowledge and practices for forecasting of heavy storms, early warning and emergency management; however the efficency of traditional flood management practices is now being questioned especially in changing environment. It is important to develop the current level of awareness while enhancing traditionally accepted system. This is possible by integrating scientific knowledge in th the existing system with consensus and understandings by local people as well as other stakeholders. The integrated community based flood hazard map was developed by the community and it was cross-checked with the map that produced through hydrologial modelling. |
