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Impact of cyclones on rice farming

(decline in livelihood resources). Haque and Jahan understanding of the challenges they face. Hossain and
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used input-output modeling to assess the economic Paul explored the effectiveness of disaster mitigation
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impacts of Cyclone Sidr at the regional and national measures in vulnerable regions like coastal Bangladesh,
levels in Bangladesh. The study found that Chittagong emphasizing the importance of understanding the
experienced the highest productivity loss, while Barishal underlying vulnerability factors and implementing
faced the greatest declines in income and employment, strategies to enhance resilience. Household resilience in
though the study lacked household-level analysis. coastal areas is crucial for coping with cyclone impacts
Ahmed and McDonnell showcased the extensive and requires adequate access to resources and proactive
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housing damage caused by cyclones like Harold in response mechanisms. For instance, Hossain found
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Vanuatu. Collectively, these findings underscore the that Cyclone Amphan caused food insecurity, income
disruptive potential of cyclones on households and loss, and psychological distress among adults in coastal
livelihoods in vulnerable regions. Bangladesh.
The aftermath of cyclones leads to immediate economic
losses and long-term implications for households. 3. Methods
Research has indicated that cyclones can decrease
household income, increase health expenditures, disrupt 3.1. Study area selection
educational investments, and exacerbate socioeconomic This study was conducted in Shyamnagar and Koyra
challenges in affected communities. 34,35 Subhani and upazilas, located in the Satkhira and Khulna districts
Ahmad indicated adverse socioeconomic impacts of Bangladesh, respectively. These regions were
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of cyclones on household assets, incomes, livelihood selected due to the severe impact they experienced
options, and food consumption among both migrant and from Cyclone Amphan in 2020 and Cyclone Bulbul in
non-migrant families in coastal Bangladesh. In addition 2019. Shyamnagar is located in southwestern Satkhira
to economic and social impacts, cyclones pose major between 21°40’ and 22°24’ N latitudes and 89°00’ and
health risks. Events such as Cyclones Sidr and Aila have 89°19’ E longitudes. It spans an area of 1,968.24 km
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been associated with heightened health complications and shares a border with the Sundarbans mangrove
among coastal populations. 37 forest, making it highly vulnerable to cyclones and tidal
Cyclones are recognized as major natural disasters surges. Koyra is situated between 22°12’ and 22°31’ N
with detrimental effects on agricultural productivity. latitudes and 89°14’ and 89°29’ E longitudes, spanning
Rahman et al. identified changes in climatic 1,775.41 km near the Bay of Bengal. The proximity
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conditions, including increased cyclone frequency, as to the coast and intricate network of rivers and canals
key contributors to reduced crop yields and livestock further increases its vulnerability to cyclonic events and
production in the southwestern coastal region. In saline water intrusion.
cyclone-prone areas such as the Bay of Bengal, tropical Ten unions were selected from the two upazilas—
cyclones have caused significant agricultural damage. five from each—based on the severity of damage
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The vulnerability of agricultural systems in coastal caused by the cyclones (Figure 1). The selected unions
zones is a critical factor contributing to severe farm-level in Shyamnagar were Bhurulia, Ishwaripur, Koikhali,
losses in tropical countries. Kunze further revealed Nurnagar, and Ramjannagar; in Koyra, they were
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the negative impact of tropical cyclones on a range Uttar Bedkashi, Dakshin Bedkashi, Koyra, Amadi, and
of economic sectors, including agriculture, hunting, Moharajpur. These unions were chosen due to their
forestry, fishing, trade, and tourism. Additionally, direct and significant exposure to the cyclones, making
cyclones have been linked to the reductions in coastal them suitable for analyzing the effects of cyclones on
land suitable for agriculture, with low-lying villages rice production.
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being especially hard-hit and facing significant For comparison, two control upazilas—Dumuria
challenges in sustaining agriculture. 43 in Khulna and Kalaroa in Satkhira— were selected
Cyclones also significantly impact the income, to represent cyclone-unaffected regions. The aim was
expenditure, and welfare of farming households. Low- to assess differences in rice productivity between
income farmers are particularly vulnerable due to their cyclone-affected and unaffected areas. Five unions were
limited capacity to mitigate or adapt to such shocks. randomly selected from each control upazila: Atlia,
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Several studies have highlighted the multifaceted and Dumuria, Raghunathpur, Rangpur, and Sahas from
cascading effect of cyclones on smallholder agricultural Dumuria; and Jogikhali, Sonabaria, Jalalabad, Deara,
activities, underscoring the need for a comprehensive and Joynagar from Kalaroa (Figure 1).

Volume 22 Issue 4 (2025) 43 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025100063