Living with Recurrent Flooding Risks in Bangladesh: Understanding Households Perception of Riverine Flood Disaster Risks and its Determinants

Abstract

Riverine people are often affected by floods because of their proximity to the riverbank. Numerous studies were conducted on the physical characteristics of floods; however, there is still inadequate knowledge on the perception of flood risk of riverine households in Bangladesh. The present study explores the risk perception of riverine households to recurrent flood disaster and its associated determinants. Using systematic random sampling technique, 377 members from 377 households (one person from each household) were interviewed from the right bank of the Teesta River, Bangladesh. The results revealed that the sex of respondents, household’s income, house location, and extents of damage to the houses significantly influenced respondent’s ris perception. ale and female had a different perception of flood risk. Respondents whose houses were destroyed completely were found to be more fatalists to report their concern about the future flood. The majority of the respondents underestimated the likelihood of future flood occurrence. The findings of this study offer important implications for the risk managers to provide training to the riverine people to raise their awareness and perception about flood risk.