NEPAL

Case Studies

Living with uncertainty: climate change and disasters

Country papers

FLOODS IN CHITWAN

main types of disaster that affects Nepal, floods are the most destructive. In 1993, floods claimed 1336 lives and the worst affected was Chitwan district.

The research in Nepal was conducted in Chitwan where 100 households in five village development committees were studied. The research specifically focused on gender issues in managing and coping with floods.

The people of Chitwan district are largely subsistence or livestock farmers or they are wage laborers. Both men are women are employed in farming activities. Few men posses other skills outside this area of work. Women are sometimes skilled in handicrafts and weaving, but these are not mass produced for lack of market. Land holding is low among this community.

There is a large discrepancy in literacy between males and females (82% and 39% respectively) Women`s role in public events is not encouraged and this limits their interaction with the outside world.

Coping strategies for floods is divided into three levels. Preparation for floods is ad hoc and temporary in nature. Although every rainy season these villagers are haunted by the spectra of the river Rapti breaking its banks, precautionary measures are taken only when high water levels are noticed.

When water levels rise, they flee to higher elevation. The cattle are untied and they take a few possessions, cooking utensils, cash and jewelery with them.

After the flood, temporarily people take to any available work as a way out of income loss. Men and women both toil to renovate homes and re-cultivate the land. The loss of livestock is the hardest hit

Flood in Nepal

Gender issues that arise in dealing with riverine flooding in southern Nepal was the central these of this study.

The study found that the low-status of women in family and society has a marked impact in their ability to prepare for and cope with the disaster situation. The cultural pressures on women to take submissive and low-status roles in the household as well out in society means women have very little access to the outside world. Women are more vulnerable because of the lack of education, skills development and knowledge. Although, in reality they contribute economically to the family coffers they have little control over household funds and decisions.

The study observes also that the functions of men and women, in preparing for and coping with the floods has no major differences, but in the aftermath of disaster, traditional roles determine the nature of male, female contribution towards rehabilitation.