IJSDIS: ISSN 2078-192X Volume 11 Issue 3 May 2020

Int. J. Soc. Dev. Inf. Syst. 11(3): 05-10, May 2020

An online Journal of “G -Science Implementation & Publication”, website: www.gscience.net

FLOOD HAZARD ADAPTATION OF HAOR PEOPLE IN NIKLY UPAZILLA UNDER

KISHOREGANJ DISTRICT OF BANGLADESH
S. M. F. RAHMAN1*, S. M. UDDIN2, A. N. M. R. HASAN3 and M. A. RAHMAN4

ABSTRACT
Kishoreganj District consist of thirteen upazillas namely Kishoreganj Sadar, Hossainpur, Pakundia, Katiadi,
Karimgonj, Tarail, Itna, Mithamoin, Austogram, Nikli, Bajitpur, Kuliarchar, Bhairab where Austogram,
Nikli and Mithamoin are the flash flood and disaster prone area in Bangladesh. Though flood is the
common phenomenon in the haor areas, people have had an experience about the seasonal and flash flood
with its frequency and magnitude. Flash flood mainly affects severely which was 70% where as 19% and
11% were rained flood and river flood damage respectively. Now it is more challenges to predict about the
flood due to different development activities in the upstream, embankment and river filling as well as
change of river flow. Recent years flood attack unpredictably and severely in the haor areas and damage
agricultural crop with a large amount. Ninety-five (95%) percent respondents said that Boro crops mainly
damaged by flood. This agricultural loss falls a serious impact on national economy. Nikli upazilla is very
densely populated and the people are bound to live here in such a flood or erosion prone areas. Because of
the flash flooding area, it is sometimes identified as the highly food insecure regions of the country though
it has a great contribution of producing the highest amount of rice through the country. Farmer’s response
to crop insurance (CI) was positive and partnership between private and public sectors and NGOs to
implement CI were played a vital role. The study was conducted during the period of January 2015 to June
2015.

Keywords: Crop Insurance (CI), Disaster, Flood and Haor,

INTRODUCTION
Bangladesh is the most vulnerable area to several natural disasters and every year natural calamities
upset people’s lives in some parts of the country. The major disasters concerned in the country
are floods, cyclones, droughts, tidal surges, tornadoes, earthquakes, river erosion, fire, infrastructure
collapse, high arsenic contents of ground water, water logging, water and soil salinity, epidemic, and
various forms of pollution etc. (Disaster Report, 2015). There are many haors (basin like structure) in
Bangladesh where water remains either stagnant or in flash flooding condition during the months of
June to November. Geographically, most of the haors are situated in seven districts which are
Sunamganj, Kishoreganj, Netrokona, Sylhet, Habiganj, Moulvibazar and Brahmanbaria of the North-
East Bangladesh (Alam et al., 2015). Kishoreganj is a district of central Bangladesh which is very much
important in geo-physical, economic, social and cultural point of view (District Statistics, 2014).
Among 13 Upazillas of this district four (Itna, Mithamoin, Austogram and Nikli) are fully and five
(Tarail, Karimgonj, Bajitpur, Kuliarchar and Bhairab) are partially bounded by hoar. People of the Nikli
upazilla of the Kishoreganj district are mainly farmer and are fully dependent on their agricultural land.
Boro is their main crop, but some other rabi crop (wheat, potato, mustard seed etc.) are also grown.
Early flood or flash flood, hailstorm and drought are the main constraints to grow modern boro rice
(Bhuiyan, 2006). Though flood is the common phenomenon in the haorareas, people have had an
experience about the seasonal and flash flood with its frequency and magnitude. But now a day they are
unable to predict about the flood due to different development activities in the upstream, embankment
and river filling as well as change of river flow (Master Plan of Haor area, 2012). Recent years flood

1
Sheikh Mohammad Faizur Rahman, Lecturer of Economics, Hossainpur Govt. Model Pilot School & College, Hossainpur,
Kishoreganj, Bangladesh, 2Shah Mujahid Uddind, MSc in Project Management, University of Bedfordshire, UK, 3Abu Noim
Mohammad Rashad Hasan, GIS Specialist, Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board, Dhaka and 4Mohammad Atiqur Rahman,
Sector Specialist, Agriculture and Environment Sector, BRAC-HCMP Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
*Corresponding author’s email: faizur277singer@gmail.com

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attack unpredictably and severely in the haorareas and damage agricultural crop with a large amount.
Kishoreganj is basically Haor and Char area and a remarkable number of the population lives in low
poverty line. On the other hand, Maternal and Child health situation is very poor in this region. In fact,
Haor is the most vulnerable area and people of this area are fewer aware on Maternal Child Health and
Nutrition (MCHN). In sequence of Maternal mortality rate is 1.94/1000 live birth, <5 children mortality
rate is 65/1000 live birth, neonatal mortality rate is 37/1000 live birth also iron deficiency rate (6‐23
month) is 64% and low birth weight is 36/100 live birth as per report of (BBS, 2011) and Considering
the above mentioned situation we have prioritized on MCHN. In order to meet challenges to improve
living condition of this region and to addressing MCHN issues. Among the thirteen upazillas of
Kishoregonj: Austogram, Nikli and Mithamoin are the flash flood and disaster prone upazilla in
Bangladesh. The livelihood status of this region population is under the bellows in Kishoreganj. Most of
the children are affected mal nutrition seriously in this Region. One in eight women receives delivery
care from medically trained providers and fewer than half of all pregnant women in Bangladesh seek
ante‐natal care. Inequity in maternity care is significantly reduced by ensuring the accessibility of health
services. This study has been conducted with a view to understanding to explore flood hazard
adaptation techniques of haor people in Nikli upazilla of Kishoreganj which will be develop in line with
the overall perspective plan adaptation of haor people in flood hazard.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was conducted at the Department of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka,
Bangladesh during January 2015 to June 2015. A comprehensive literature review was needed for
gaining a detail overview about the nature of haor area. Primary and secondary data were used in this
study. Primary data were collection from the study area 115 respondents, Simple random sampling
procedure. A reconnaissance survey was done to know the existing situation of the study areas. A
questionnaire survey was deemed necessary to supplement qualitative data with quantitative data and
give more specific information. After the finalization of the questionnaire a field survey (mainly
primary data collection) was conducted to collect necessary information required for the fulfillment of
the study objectives. A structured questionnaire was prepared to conduct household survey. A method
was used to determine crude sample size. Migration, Commuters, Communication, Services facilities,
Commodity Chain Analysis and Transport component were collected from primary source. Secondary
data were collected from Maps of the locations, Location map of services, Road network maps,
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Population census, Agriculture census, Official reports and National
and international journal. SPSS software was used to analyze the quantitative data. Quantitative data are
entered into SPSS environment and the variables have been chosen.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Adaptation techniques were urgently needed in haor areas which are geographically low lying, remain a
chance to flood. Flash flood or seasonal flood affects the agricultural products largely and damages all
of it. This happens roughly and deprives farmers to yield their crops. It is a natural hazard and become
great disaster for them because of only source of income. In this situation, diversified crops and
innovative techniques were needed. Flashflood is the major threat to thousands of rice farmers in the
haor region over the years. Due to climate variability and change, increased precipitation early in the
season make flashfloods more unpredictable and damaging, affecting livelihoods and food security of
haor residents. Traditionally, farmers use long duration and local rice variety, which are vulnerable to
flashflood and hailstorm.

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Fig. 1. Types of flood in Nikli upazilla of Fig. 2. Types of crop damaged by flood in Nikli
Kishoreganj. upazilla of Kishoreganj.
Flash flood mainly affects severely which was 70% where as 19% and 11% were rained flood and river
flood damage respectively. All most every year, haor farmers experience damage of winter rice by flash
floods (Fig. 1). From the study 95% respondent said that Boro crops mainly damaged by flood (Fig. 2).
Lands of the study area are mainly single cropping. Agricultural activities are done mainly in rabi
season and Boro is the mainly rabi crop. So flood damaged only or mainly Boro. More than 95%
farmers of the area cultivate BR-19, BRRI dhan28, BRRI dhan29 and BRRI dhan45. CH45 (not a
variety) and Hobiganj 6 is very new for this region. To promote short duration rice, BRRI dhan28,
BRRI dhan45, CH45, Hobiganj 6 and BRRI dhan29 are cultivated in the study area. To reduce the life
span of BRRIdhan 29, typical management practice may apply. This types of rice which are harvested
in a short time and flash flood can be avoided is cultivated. This indicates that if farmers transplant
young aged seedlings (of BRRI dhan29) to the field, it could be harvested comparatively short period of
time and flash flood could be avoided. The time of flash flood causes much damage to crops as well as
silting up of rivers, canals, and has caused the river levels to rise. The overall objective of the study was
to equip farmers in the Haor regions with appropriate rice varieties, other alternative crops and
agricultural technologies to be adapted with the climate change situations.
Crop Insurance (CI)
Crop insurance (CI) was the most effective for the farmers of the study area. Farmer’s response to CI
was quite positive. Even though they have difficulty in understanding CI processes, they are familiar
with life insurance. Handling of micro-credit by the farmers created a confidence that micro-insurance
might bring in good for them as well. If the farmers see that the money they are paying returns and help
them during crisis, surely it will become popular. As seen from the review of experience in the world, in
the developing countries public sector mostly offers CI, while in the developed countries, it is offered
by private insurance companies. For Bangladesh, in view of past experiences, there needs to be a
partnership between private and public sectors and NGOs to implement CI. Reputed insurance
companies can offer CI, where small business corporation (SBC) can serve as a re-insurer and
Directorate of Insurance can regulate and monitor the process, including dispute resolution. NGOs can
serve as the local mobilizer of communities. But farmers were worried about the direct involvement of
government organizations because of bureaucratic process, and showed preference for an organization
which is close to them like those of NGOs. First of all, losses in CI should not be considered in
isolation, but compared with the amount of money usually spent by the government in subsidizing the
agriculture sector losses for weather disasters. It includes relief and rehabilitation expenditures and
distribution of huge amount of Bank loan and exemption of its interest or indemnifying of the whole
loan itself. Introduction of CI will reduce such subsidy requirement to a great extent. For example, if CI
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is made mandatory for Agri-credit takers, the outstanding loan can be collected from indemnities of CI
directly. Considering the example of Cyclone Sidr 2007 impacts, a quantitative calculation of
government expenditure in disaster management purpose in the agriculture sector has been compared to
the expenditure payment expected under a CI programme. This shows that when the likely indemnity
payments are compared to the totality of government and farmers’ expenditures and the indemnifying
of loans or their interests, CI becomes a financially viable venture.
Minimized the Problems and Losses
To minimize the losses derived from the conventional problems of insurance such as moral hazards,
adverse selection and imperfect indemnity and high administrative costs. Globally, around 80% of
disaster-related losses remain uninsured. There are many reasons, as discussed in the report. The cost of
coverage can be disproportionately high due to market inefficiencies, such as high administrative costs -
up to 30% of the premium. Demand for insurance coverage by those at risk is really low or the risk may
be so high that it is uninsurable in a country like Bangladesh. The expectation of government and
international aid is a big factor behind the low demand. On the other hand, pure private sector crop
insurance solutions are not feasible. In view of the above, CI can be made viable along the following
lines:
Introduction of Weather Index: Introduction of Weather Index can reduce adverse selection and moral
hazards to a great extent. This application in Bangladesh is proposed here. Adverse selection is because
it is not the crop type or land type, but a specified level of weather variable is considered here for
indemnity. Loss is considered same for entire region if it does not witness pre-fixed weather index. So
the question of moral hazard is eliminated as well. It reduces huge administrative cost as well as it does
not require plot to plot investigation.
Defining Variation in Risk and Varying Premium Levels: The weather index program the risk level for
different unit areas under one weather station can be classified under different risk categories.
Methodology for such risk quantification based on historical climatic time series data is explained in the
study. Even the risk level in near future under climatic changes can be predicted here as well based on
future prediction of climate attributes or other predictions. Within a unit area variation in risk level is
possible, like the inundation height for different land segments might be different even though they are
within one unit. Problems like this can be solved by including the elevation of each segment of land in
the contract, etc. However, this might be complicated and may not be practiced in the initial years.
Rather a farmer's risk pooling technique can be applied as explained.
Less Number of Perils to Cover and Provision for Multi-Peril: In a weather insurance contract, it is
actually impossible to cover all perils if it is not related to climatic attributes. Again, including all perils
in the contract make it highly vulnerable to high losses. Instead, there should be provision that someone
might take wider coverage of 2-3 perils, but have to pay more for it. It also reduces administrative and
technical complexity.
Risk Pooling among the Farmers and Formation of Cooperatives: Community or cooperative formation
among the farmers within a homogeneous unit area and introducing provision of risk pooling among the
farmers is possible to reduce the local variation of risk level among the farmers living within a
homogenous unit area defined by Weather Index Approach. It means for a unit area if flood is defined
as water level above 10m MSL (Mean Sea Level), the entire region will get compensation. However,
say 10% of land was not flooded. Similarly, if the water level is below 10 m MSL, no one will get
compensation. In that case when the entire land gets compensation, there should be provision that
farmers themselves have a cooperative and recollect the compensation bills from those who are not
affected at all, and later compensate it to those who were affected due to flooding in a normal year but
not having compensation because that year does not satisfy weather index level. Such a cooperative can
be free of influence by the insurer, but can be introduced and formed at the beginning of the contract
with the support of insurer, local govt. and the government cooperative authority. This can be utilized

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later to pay premium for a season while a situation occurs that most of the farmers are affected by some
other disaster, which was not insured.
Varying Weather Index Value: Instead of defining just one value of climatic attribute as the index level,
a varying loss of crops can be defined based on variation in that climatic attribute. For example, if
precipitation is below 25%, 50% or 75% below average level, the compensation might vary as well.
Wider Coverage: The farmers along the risky zones like highly prone to flood, drought and cyclone will
only like to take CI, but no agent can show interest because of the potential of heavy losses. Therefore,
a wider risk pooling is needed. To overcome the problem, government can make CI mandatory for all
farmers taking Agri-loan. CI policy holders will be distributed over different regions ranging from low
to high risk areas. Micro-credit organizations can help as well. If the Credit is related to crop
production, CI should be made mandatory. Otherwise, farmers can be encouraged to take CI by offering
low interest loans for those who will take CI, etc. Varying premium level for varying risk will
encourage low risk farmer to take a policy as well as because in that case he has to pay less amount of
premium. Varying terms or duration of contract such as 1 season, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years or even 10
years’ contract can be made or it will be like a gambling if it is only for one season.
Public-Private-NGO Partnerships Can Overcome the Reasons For Market Failure in CI: Public-private
partnership (PPP) can resolve this. The public sector sets a framework to reduce the physical risks,
providescover for high-risk segments and regulates market for other risks. The Indian Government, for
example, allows private insurance companies to operate once they cover a certainpercentage of poor,
rural population in their business activities. These companies cross subsidizethis likely losing concern
with their profits earned in other insurance markets. Thusthe private sector may provide technical
assistance and administrative services in coveringlower-risk segments. Likewise, NGOs also can on
compulsory basis undertake someresponsibility of paying premiums on behalf of its beneficiaries.
These payments can becovered from its interest earning from other loan activities. Also NGOs would
be moreeffective in mobilizing the farmers within their area of operations. Competitions will reduce
administrative costs and fraud.
Appropriate CI Methodology for Bangladesh
The land distribution pattern, tenant farming and the inherent problems of insurance, such as moral
hazard, adverse selection and huge administrative costs favor such an index-based CI. While
administrative cost is minimized in weather index method, it however, requires a large network of
hydro-climatic data stations with data of good quality or accuracy. Along with this, detailed land
classification and elevation map is also required, especially for assessment of flooding and erosion. So,
proper technical expertise is required. The Malawi case illustrates a large potential for donor-supported,
index-based schemes that can be designed to provide needed liquidity after major disasters (Eugene N.
Gurenko, 2015). In India, for example, international technical assistance has been instrumental in the
current success of index-based crop insurance programmes and similar schemes have been implemented
or are under way in Mongolia, Ukraine, Peru, Thailand and Ethiopia. Unless supported by technical
assistance, national subsidies (cross-subsidies, as in India), or international donors, these schemes are
out of reach for very low-income small holder farmers (Disaster risk insurance programmes, 2012). As
mentioned above, Public-Private-NGO partnership is what may make the CI a viable and sustainable
venture.
National Reinsurance Scheme
The public sector company, the SBC can serve as reinsurer to the CI schemes, covered by the private
companies. In this case, India can again serve as an example: The Infrastructure Regulatory and
Development Authority (IRDA) established under the 1999 Act has been charged with overseeing and
regulating the insurance industryand named the General Insurance Company (GIC) as the national
reinsurer to which all the country’s direct insurers must cede 20% of their business. This kind of
provision for the private companies can be introduced in Bangladesh, where they also have to cover a
certain percentage of small-holder farmers and other rural poor. Besides, the non-insurance firms like
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banks and hedge funds are getting involved in this area, and they can also be persuaded to contribute to
this reinsurance coverage, as a part of their corporate social responsibility.
International Financing
Financial support from the international community would be required either to subsidize CI schemes
and/or to provide risk capital to finance their costs for reinsurance and consequently the costs of
premiums. The existing ex-post, ad-hocmodel of financing natural disaster losses in developing
countries by the development partners fails to provide disaster-prone countries with sufficient
incentives for mitigation and risk reduction. As a result, countries at risk see little economic or political
benefit from investing in mitigation or better enforcement of construction codes or land-use policies
that would restrict construction activities in harm’s way. Besides, there is uncertainty in the quantum of
aid, which depends often on the media exposure of the events. The culture of funding ex-postneeds to
be changed a little, and more money should be made available for ex-antefinancing. Therefore,
international financing can create either an International Insurance Pool (IIP), as suggested by the
AOSIS or a Climate Impact Response Fund (CIRF) as suggested by Muller or the Climate Change
Funding Mechanism (CCFM), as proposed by the German watch.
CONCLUSION
Almost 90% of the study area is within haor area consisting of medium low land and low land. During
the monsoon period the area become a vast stretch of turbulent water. During the dry season, most of
the water drains out, leaving one or more shallow beels which become mostly overgrown with aquatic
vegetation. These beels can completely dry out by the end of the dry season, exposing rich alluvial soil
which is extensively cultivated for rice. All year long people live on land that is naturally or artificially
elevated. During the rainy season, these higher positions of lands become islands completely
surrounded by water. During the dry season the water goes away and the land that was previously turns
into agricultural land. Introducing flood shelter in this area and capacity of flood shelter should be
improved. Lot of support from NGO and other government sector should be introduced locally. Special
medical treatment should be introduced for women children and other deprived people.
REFERENCES

Alam, M. S., M. A. Quayum and M. A. Islam. 2015. Crop Production in the Haor Areas of Bangladesh: Insights
from Farm Level Survey, The Agriculturists, 8 (2): 88-97.
BBS (Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics), 2011. ‘Population and housing census report 2011’. Bangladesh Bureau
of Statistics. Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Bhuiyan, N. I. 2006. Agricultural land, Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh, Asiatic Society of
Bangladesh.
Disaster Report, 2015. Reliefweb.int report Bangladesh disaster-report.
Disaster risk insurance programmes, 2012. Disaster Insurance for the Poor? A Review of Micro insurance for
Natural Disaster Risks in Developing Countries.
District statistics, 2014. History of Kishoreganj, Kishoreganj Zilla, Itihas Pronayon Committee/Prokalpa,
Kishoreganj.
Eugene, N. Gurenko, 2015. Climate Change and Insurance: Disaster Risk Financing in developing countries.
books.google.com.bd › books
Master Plan of Haor Area, 2012. Volume 1, Summary Report, Governments of The Peoples Republic of
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