Impact of flood hazards on human life and environment in some selected upazilas of Sirajganj district

A study was carried out in Sirajganj district to explore the causes of flooding and to determine the impact of flood hazards on human life and environment. Data were collected from 300 respondents from 5 upazilas using interview schedule during July to August, 2013. From the collected data it is found that lack of communication, food, drinking water, health services, environmental degradation and socio-economic losses were the major characteristics impacted by flood. Majority (44.3%) of the respondents were old aged. Almost 41% of the respondents were illiterate. Average member of the family was 2.233 people. Majority (31.3%) was involved in agriculture and maximum number of respondents (44.7%) had small monthly income. The highest respondent said that main causes of flood were climate changes (40%). About 45.3% respondents used tube well water, 28.7% faced lack of communication problem, 34% faced diarrhea as the major disease and 39.7% got medical support. The losses from flood were crop (32%), land (29%), domestic animal (20%) and houses (19%). About 45% faced problems with high environmental degradation and 44% with high socio-economic loss. The computed value of correlation coefficient showed insignificant positive relationship between sex of the respondents and losses of flood. But the variables like age, education, occupation, monthly income, family members, problem faced and diseases has significant positive relationship with losses of flood. However the study revealed that the flood situation of Sirajganj district has significant impact on human health and environment. The study suggests the government and NGO to address the issues of flood in order to improve the livelihood of peoples impacted by flood.