Page 49 - AJWEP-22-4

Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution. Vol. 22, No. 4 (2025), pp. 41-63.
doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025100063

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Impacts of climate change and tropical cyclones on rice
farming in coastal Bangladesh

Sudipa Basu *
1,2
1 Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Barishal, Barishal, Bangladesh
2 Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, Islamic University, Kushtia, Bangladesh
*Corresponding author: Sudipa Basu (sbasu@bu.ac.bd)

Received: March 4, 2025; Revised: June 10, 2025; Accepted: June 13, 2025; Published online: July 4, 2025

Abstract: The coastal agriculture sector is highly exposed to natural disasters, especially cyclones, severely
affecting rice production and farmer livelihoods in Bangladesh. This study aimed to assess the impacts of Cyclones
Amphan and Bulbul on rice production in the cyclone-prone districts of Khulna and Satkhira. The analysis focused
on rice-producing farming households in these districts using primary data collected from 400 farmers (200 in
each district) through structured interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. T-tests, Cobb
Douglas production functions, and panel fixed effects regressions were applied to estimate production losses. The
results showed that Cyclone Amphan reduced rice output by 38% in Khulna and 26% in Satkhira. Cyclone Bulbul
caused losses of 45% in Khulna and 38% in Satkhira. Average production losses ranged 30 – 37% across both
events. Panel regression results further showed that rice production decreased by 29%, 22%, and 26% in Khulna,
Satkhira, and both regions combined, respectively, during the cyclone season compared to the pre-cyclone period.
Farmers whose primary occupation was agriculture, and who had lower levels of education and smaller household
sizes, experienced greater financial losses. These results offer evidence to inform targeted adaptation and disaster
mitigation strategies for coastal farming communities.

Keywords: Disaster impact; Agricultural vulnerability; Amphan; Bulbul; Rice production; Cobb-Douglas model

1. Introduction repeatedly experienced tropical cyclones, tidal surges,
salinity intrusion, flash-flooding, and waterlogging over
Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to tropical cyclones the years. As the Bay of Bengal is a significant source
4,5
due to its geographical location. Its topography and of tropical storm formation, the 580 km coastline of the
6
position at the triangular-shaped head of the Bay of country remains highly susceptible to cyclones along
Bengal make it susceptible to frequent natural hazards, with other natural hazards. 7
such as tropical cyclones and associated storm surges. In recent years, tropical cyclones have caused
1
Besides, the low-lying coastal area, high population significant economic loss and damage in Bangladesh.
density, and lack of coastal flood defenses further Besides, it has caused various forms of noneconomic
heighten its vulnerability. The tropical monsoon damages, such as property damage and adverse impacts
2
climate of the South Asian subcontinent and proximity on agriculture and livelihoods. 8-14 Historical cyclone
to the equator also increases the country’s exposure to data reveal the recurring nature of these disasters and
cyclones. Consequently, the southern coastal region has their devastating consequences on the populations
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Volume 22 Issue 4 (2025) 41 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025100063