Coping with the flood impacts by locals of Rajapur, Bardiya, Nepal

The Rajapur Municipality is one of the major flood-prone sites of Nepal and communities are more vulnerable because of seasonal and unseasonal floods in rivers like Karnali and Geruwa. These floods have caused significant damage to property and infrastructure, and have displaced thousands of people. This study was aimed at investigating the impacts of floods on occupation, adaptation strategies, and socioeconomic implications of adaptation strategies in Rajapur, Bardiya. The study used a mixed approach, both qualitative and quantitative to provide a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted relationship between floods and local communities. Data were collected from six flood-prone wards encompassing 262 households. According to the findings, farmers, a vulnerable group, were significantly affected by floods, which led to both temporary and long-term changes in their occupations. The limited options available, such as switching to day laborer jobs, highlight farmers’ difficulties in maintaining their livelihoods. On the other hand, occupations such as businessmen displayed higher levels of resilience, with the majority continuing their work despite temporary disruptions. The research highlights the diverse adaptive strategies employed by individuals in response to flood impacts, with learning new skills emerging as a crucial strategy. This adaptation strategy enables people to diversify their work options and lessen exposure to disruptions brought on by flooding. The report also highlights the important role that taking loans plays in helping flood-affected individuals recover financially. Migration also emerged as a prevalent adaptation approach, encompassing the continuation of previous occupations in new locations or the acquisition of new skills for different employment opportunities. The thesis further explores the socioeconomic implications of various adaptation strategies employed by flood-affected families. Learning new skills emerged as an effective strategy, leading to increased income through expanded job opportunities. In contrast, reliance on loans resulted in lower income levels due to repayment obligations. The study examines the effect of adaptation techniques on living expenses, revealing that learning new skills and migrating after learning new skills are associated with higher expenses. In comparison, loan-dependent families prioritize essential needs, and day laborers face financial challenges. Moreover, the research uncovers the influence of adaptation strategies on educational outcomes. Learning new skills and migrating after learning new skills positively affect children's education, while loans have a slightly negative impact. The findings provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics between floods, occupation, adaptation strategies, and socioeconomic conditions. My findings suggest that there is a need for more research on the long-term effects of adaptation strategies on flood-affected communities.