Master's Thesis Climate Change Impact on Ratu River Flooding and Its Effects on Communities' Life, Livelihood and People
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Master’s Thesis Climate Change Impact on Ratu River Flooding and its Effects on Communities’ Life, Livelihood and People Led Adaptation Dinesh Kumar Shah Nepal Engineering College Changunarayan, Bhaktapur Pokhara University Nepal February, 2019 Climate Change Impact on Ratu River Flooding and its Effects on Communities’ Life, Livelihood and People Led Adaptation By Dinesh Kumar Shah PU Registration No: 2017-1-50-0007 Exam Roll No: 17500007 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Interdisciplinary Water Resources Management awarded by Pokhara University Nepal Engineering College Changunarayan, Bhaktapur Pokhara University Nepal February, 2019 Dedication I would like to dedicate this thesis to my family. ABSTRACT Riverine and flashflood cause more damage to life, livelihood and infrastructure annually than any other calamities, which is exaggerated by changing extreme weather in recent past. Hence, they constitute the main hazard. On this ground this study attempted to look dynamics of flood and damages caused to Communities’ life, livelihood resources and adaptive practice of the people living in Mahottari and Dhanusha District of Ratu watershed. This study also aimed to assess the impacts of land use and land cover change (LULCC) on flooding and change in climatic trend, if any, in the Ratu watershed. The study involved analysis of LULCC using land use map and analysis of time series data of rainfall and temperature (Jaleshwar and Tulsi meteorology stations) of Ratu watershed. Focus Group Discussion (FGD), Key Informants Interview with the representative of Government officials, local NGO, local elected bodies and field observation of study area were carried out. Tulsi, being located in North receives more rainfall (average annual 1706 mm) because of orographic effect, while Jaleshwar receives 970 mm on and average. Temperature records t Jaleshwar shows maximum temperature range of 34 to 38°C between April to June. Similarly the minimum temperature ranges fron 8 to 12°C during December to February. The observed increased trend in minimum temperature indicates hotter winter than past. In addition, people perception on increased heat waves in summer, increase in frequency of high intensity rainfall, and drying of surface water are indication of climate change impacts in Ratu watershed. In twenty years (1996 to 2016) buildup area has increased from 3.9 to 17.95 sq.km (360 %) while forested area decreased from 128.04 to 123.76 sq.km. Sand cover has decreased from 31.39 to 20.65 sq.km attributed to flood control measures. This shows people have encroached to the flood plain after confinement of water flow by embankments. LULCC, excavation of the river resources such as sand and gravel from easily accessible places (bridges and settlements), and development of infrastructure without due consideration to draining the natural flow of water are some of the reasons for an increase in the frequency and magnitude of flood and river-bank cutting in the watershed. People’s perception revealed increase in flood frequency and resultant losses. In the upstream, Dhanusha located at lower elevation than Mahottari suffer more from frequent flooding. Some of the recent devastating floods in the memory of people were those of 1977, 1981, 1988, 1993, 2004 and 2016. Flooding due to shifting of the river channel and rise in the river bed due to siltation of sand and gravel are common in the watershed. People have strong ability to live with the flood. This has been possible with the adaptive strategies such as raising plinth level of houses, making drains around the homested are some of the strategies adapted at household level. Besides, development of physical infrastructures, such as flood control embankments, and establishment of flood warning systems at community level, mainly in Sarpallo, has helped building confidence of the people to live in the flood plain. The support of the government and non-governmental organizations are often limited to relief and rescue of the people during flood emergencies. Hence, programmes well integrated with physical infrastructure and flood preparedness activities, like one in Sarpallo are therefore needed in other flood affected area of Ratu watershed. ii Declaration I hereby declare that this study entitled " Climate Change Impact on Ratu River Flooding and its Effects on Communities’ Life, Livelihood and People Led Adaptation situated in Mahottari and Dhanusha District” is based on my original research work. Related works on the topic, by other researchers, have been duly acknowledged. I owe all the liabilities relating to accuracy and authenticity of the data or any other information included hereunder. Signature: Name of Student: Dinesh Kumar Shah Date: iii Recommendation This is to certify that this thesis entitled " Climate Change Impact on Ratu River Flooding and its Effects on Communities’ Life, Livelihood and People Led Adaptation situated in Mahottari and Dhanusha District " prepared and submitted by Dinesh Kumar Shah, in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Interdisciplinary Water Resources Management awarded by Pokhara University, has been completed under my supervision. I recommend the same for acceptance by Pokhara University. Signature: Name of the Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Khem Raj Sharma Organization: Nepal Engineering College, (Affiliated to Pokhara University), Lalitpur, Nepal Designation: Director, nec CPS Date: iv Certificate This thesis entitled " Climate Change Impact on Ratu River Flooding and its Effects on Communities’ Life, Livelihood and People Led Adaptation situated in Mahottari and Dhanusha District " prepared and submitted by Dinesh Kumar Shah has been examined by us and is accepted for the award of the degree of Master of Sciences (M.Sc.) in Interdisciplinary Water Resources Management by Pokhara University. ………………………. ………………………. ………………………. External Examiner Signature Date Prof. Dr. Khem Raj Sharma ………………………. ………………………. Thesis Supervisor & Signature Date Director, Nepal Engineering College- Center for Postgraduate Studies v Acknowledgement I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Prof. Dr. Khem Raj Sharma; my supervisor from nec, for his immense support and advice provided in the course of this study and also for support provided by him throughout my studies at Nepal Engineering college. I would like to acknowledge him with my deep respect. I am very thankful to Mr. Robert Dongol, iWRM coordinator, nec for his continued support provided since conceptualization of research till finalization of report. I would also like to thank administrative staff for their support in facilitating logistic support. I am very thankful to Jalsrot Vikas Sanstha /Global Water Partnership Nepal (JVS/GWP Nepal) for their technical guidance and partial financial support provided for the research. I am thankful to Mr. Mahendra Karki, Mr. Suresh Koirala, Mr. Rajkumar Mahato and Mr. Binod Mahato who extensively facilitated my work during field visit. My special thanks go to my friend Mr. Raman Maharjan for his support in finalizing land use map. I am very thankful to DWIDM official, DSCO official and ward official of Bardibas Municipality, Mithila Municipality and Siswa-Manra Municipality for their support during field work. My special thank go to Er. Balaram Bhandary, People’s Embankment Program/DWIDM for providing study report related with Ratu River. In conclusion I solely dedicate this thesis to my beloved parents, my wife Mrs. Anupama Purbey, my daughter Miss. Aditi Shah and son Mr. Darsith Shah for their support and encouragement for completing my post graduation course. Dinesh Kumar Shah vi Table of Content Contents Page ABSTRACT........................................................................................................................................ ii Declaration ......................................................................................................................................... iii Recommendation ............................................................................................................................... iv Certificate............................................................................................................................................ v Acknowledgement ............................................................................................................................. vi Table of Content .............................................................................................................................. viii List of Tables ...................................................................................................................................... x List of Figures .................................................................................................................................... xi Abbreviations and Acronyms ........................................................................................................... xii Chapter 1 ............................................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background .............................................................................................................................