Title: People's perception on climate change effects and adaptation in the Haor Basin of Bangladesh

Authors: Sheikh Hefzul Bari; Noor-E-Ashmaul Husna

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering, Leading University, Sylhet, Bangladesh ' Sylhet, Bangladesh

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to understand the people's perception on climate change occurring in the Haor Basin of Sunamganj, Bangladesh. The results from focus group discussion (FGD) show that the change in the rainfall affects economic, residential, health, in a word every aspect of life of local people. Historic analysis of data reveals that flash flood is common in the Haor areas. Flash floods seriously damage the crops as they occur in March-April when the winter rice is semi-ripe, just 15-20 days earlier than the harvest time. However, trend analysis of rainfall data reveals a decreasing trend in most of the months. Further investigation of daily rainfall data shows that heavy rainfall in consecutive three to five days along with upstream discharge causes the flash flood. This heavy rainfall does not have a serious effect on total rainfall but brings misfortune to farmers.

Keywords: climate change; Haor Basin; Bangladesh; flash flood; rainfall; Mann-Kendall test; focus group discussion; FGD.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2023.127893

International Journal of Hydrology Science and Technology, 2023 Vol.15 No.1, pp.40 - 53

Received: 04 Feb 2021
Accepted: 05 Apr 2021
Published online: 21 Dec 2022 *