By Subhodeep Basu (IWMI), Shilp Verma (IWMI), Syed Ruhul Kuddus (CML)
Communities living areas such as Dhemaji and Cacher districts in Assam are only too familiar with flooding. High monsoon rainfall causes the mighty Brahmaputra – and its numerous tributaries – to overflow into the flood plains. The situation is made worse by rampant deforestation, poorly planned urbanization, and inadequate disaster preparedness. The consequences are grievous: conservative figures suggest that more than 1,600 people have lost their lives between 2010 and 2020. This is besides the havoc caused to agricultural livelihoods and local infrastructure.
That this unwelcome ‘guest’ is becoming more painful is evident from the fact that valuation of annual damage caused by floods has increased almost ten-fold to INR 1,500 crore (US 179.3 mn) during 2010-2020, compared to around INR 160 (US 19.13mn) crore in the previous decade. Even as we write this, an estimated 2.4 million people across 29 districts of Assam are braving severe floods.
Agriculture, which is the primary livelihood option in these parts, also faces the devastating impacts of these floods. For instance, between 2000 and 2020, recurring floods submerged nearly 0.8 million hectares of cropland, resulting in over INR 1000 (US 119.54mn) crore in losses. In the face of such catastrophic events, government and civil society must step up to safeguard people against such calamities. While floods cannot be immediately stopped, efforts to secure communities and build sustained resilience can yield positive results.
A pragmatic approach to ‘living with floods’
The Centre for Microfinance and Livelihood (CML) is a partner of the IWMI – Tata Water Policy Program. Supported by the Tata Trusts and based out of Assam, CML took several pragmatic steps towards bolstering the resilience of flood-affected communities and improving disaster preparedness. The initiative targeted 1,300 households in the Dhemaji and Cacher districts and included measures to mitigate flood-related water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and livelihood challenges.
The conventional approach to mitigating the impact of floods is through the creation of flood shelters. Such public shelters offer temporary relief but are often too few and far between with each shelter servicing multiple villages. CML has found a way to address several of the key issues at the village-level by creating ‘flood-proof’ infrastructure within village boundaries.
For safeguarding drinking water supplies, CML has deployed hand-pumps on elevated platforms, preventing them from submergence and keeping their water quality intact. Floods often lead to serious sanitation challenges, particularly for women. To address this critical issue, CML has constructed all-season toilets, also on elevated platforms, that are made available to everyone, particularly women. To ensure that this infrastructure and highlands remains accessible to affected communities during flood events, CML also introduced mechanized motorboats. Thus, CML has adopted a pragmatic approach informed and shaped by ground realities.
Securing livelihoods
Floods in Assam have a devastating impact on livelihoods, especially for impoverished communities. In areas like Dhemaji, primarily inhabited by tribal populations, and Cachar, home to many refugees, the challenges are particularly acute. To help these vulnerable groups, CML has implemented strategies to enhance and secure livelihoods. One key initiative is the promotion of Boro paddy cultivation, known for its high productivity in eastern India. Assam’s flood-prone plains are ideal for Boro cultivation, but its long harvesting period often coincides with the flood season. To address this, a new short-duration variety called Navi has been introduced, enabling farmers to boost their income and create a buffer against floods.
In Dhemaji, traditional skills like weaving are vital for the Mising tribe, particularly women. To enhance this occupation, CML introduced a bamboo-based flying shuttle loom as a cost-effective alternative to steel looms. This innovation has reduced production costs and doubled the monthly output of mekhela chadors (a traditional dress worn by women in Assam), significantly enhancing livelihoods. While not directly linked to flood-resilience, such interventions help communities sustain themselves during challenging months.
Following the project’s completion in June 2022, community ownership of the assets was crucial for sustainability. Village-level committees have been established to oversee these assets. While organizations like CMF can create ‘models’ and demonstrate their viability and effectiveness at a small scale, it is only through active government involvement that such strategies can be scaled.
Learning from elsewhere
Flooding of agricultural lands is not unique to Assam and rural communities elsewhere have experimented with various approaches to safeguard livelihoods under the threat of floods. In semi-arid north Gujarat, where flash floods are not uncommon, a traditional system of ‘pipe-assisted recharge’ called Holiyas are popular to capture and store water that submerges precious agricultural land in shallow aquifers. A modern version of this traditional wisdom, Bhungroo, is attempting expansion. At the same time, in the Ram Ganga sub-basin in Uttar Pradesh, where seasonal floods are a common occurrence, ‘Underground Taming of Floods for Irrigation’ (UTFI) is attempting to tackle the dual challenge of floods and groundwater depletion. All three approaches store surplus run-off in the flood season for irrigation in the dry season.
Final word
CML’s work in Assam highlights the importance of local, pragmatic approaches to flood resilience. It shows that we can (and must) be better prepared for the next visit of our ‘unwanted guest’. The experience from Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh showcase attempts at converting an adversity into an advantage. Perhaps there’s room for a vibrant ‘community of practice’ around ‘living with floods’ to share information, approaches, experiences and inspiration.
