A study on climate-driven vulnerabilities in the Ranganadi river basin: Sand-Casting impacts on rural households

Abstract

The Ranganadi river basin, spanning a catchment area of 2335 km² in the North Lakhimpur region of Assam is one of the worst flood-affected areas in the North Eastern region of India. The basin is densely populated and the land around this river is extensively used for cultivation. Progressive migration of the banklines leads to the loss of cultivable land. Breach in embankments protecting agricultural fields during the monsoon, as well as the presence of infertile sand in agriculture fields are some of the most dominant facets of riverine hazards directly connected with the loss of livelihood in the study area The objective of this research is to assess the vulnerability of the population residing in these flood plains to the impacts of sand casting, utilizing Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) approach. The research included 377 households, and a comprehensive analysis was carried out. The analysis revealed varying degrees of vulnerability for 0.306 (socio-demographic profile), 0.489 (livelihood strategies), and 0.413 (social networks). Sensitivity values were 0.495 (health), 0.487 (food security), 0.368 (water availability), and 0.391 (psychological factors). Exposure was rated high at 0.494, indicating vulnerability to natural disasters and climate variability. These values highlighted the most vulnerable components of the population due to the disaster and helped to suggest vulnerability reduction measures. The novelty of the study based on the result is that the LVI was meticulously formulated and adapted specifically for the study area. This localized approach allowed the unique socio-economic and environmental dynamics of the affected population to be captured very well.