Analysis of the Vulnerability of Farm Households to Flood Risk in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Climate change is the most important challenge for developing as well as developed countries. Pakistan is a developing country and has faced different types of natural disasters such as floods in the last 10 years. The rural areas of Pakistan are adversely affected by floods, which cause significant losses to crops, assets, and the household members face illness, health problems, loss of family income, and displacement. Approximately, 7016 villages with a cropped area of 473998 acres have been affected only in Punjab due to floods during the last four years. The impact of floods is not the same among the different regions, races, ages, classes, and gender. In this regard, a study was conducted to analyze the vulnerability of farm households in three flood-prone districts of Punjab province of Pakistan. These three flood-prone districts have different population size, and are located in high-risk flood region of Punjab was selected for empirical analysis. A well-structured questionnaire was used. Minimum 120 respondents were selected through a random sampling technique. A farm household survey was conducted and a vulnerability index was developed by using well-defined indicators. Three major dimensions of vulnerability were analyzed in detail such as exposure, adaptive capacity, and sensitivity. A multiple linear regression model was used to formulate the results. The analyzed results showed that flood was the main cause of the destruction of houses, livestock, and destruction of agriculture production. Results showed that farm household communities were the most vulnerable and floods hazard has a negative impact on the livelihood of human beings and the economy of Punjab as well.