Meghna riverbank erosion on lives and livelihoods of rural people: impacts and coping strategies

Abstract

Riverbank erosion is one of the most hazardous disasters of Bangladesh. It has both direct and negative impact on people and their livelihoods. This study aims to explore the impact of Meghna riverbank erosion and the coping strategies taken by the affected people to fight against this calamity considering four unions under Matlab Uttar of Chadpur District. The findings reveal that the occupational status, income and expenditure of the affected people have changed due to bank erosion. 91% of the respondents’ houses were fully damaged and 48% of them are living in shelter house. The results also show that a large portion of affected populace lost their assets and suffering from psychological distress. Around 87% people borrowed money to cope with this hazard and strict law against sand dredging is recommended as one of the effective strategies to prevent Meghna river bank erosion.