The economic impact of flood on fisheries in Assam, India.

Abstract

Flood in Assam is characterized by their considerable magnitude, high frequency, and extensive devastation. Monsoon flooding is particularly damaging to farming in Assam. This paper presents the nature of flood and the results from an evaluation of the impacts of the monsoon flooding 2017 monsoon flood events on the fishery in Assam. High economic losses were incurred in the fishery sector. Fish farmers incurred direct losses in fish loss, damages in pond dykes and embankment, stock damages, etc. due to flooding and associated water inundation in ponds and fish farms. An average amount of ₹ 55,461(60 %) of loss is incurred in fish and followed by damages or losses in pond dyke or embankment, ₹ 20908 (22.64 %) in 1 acre of pond. Although total costs to the fishery were small compared with urban flood costs, they were typically large at the individual farm scale. The results presented here provide valuable insights into how flooding affects fisheries and can inform future priorities in policy development and research in flood risk management.