Inhabitants of the Teesta river basin have devised ingenious ways to deal with recurrent floods

People living along the Teesta river basin are engaged a constant battle with the forces of nature. For up to 4 months each year, they have to endure relentless flash floods caused by excessive rainfall. Despite the difficulties, the inhabitants remain deeply rooted to their homes, refusing to migrate elsewhere. Instead, they have devised ingenious strategies to cope with the challenges posed by annual flooding. One such example is Rafiqul Islam, a resident of Gangachara Upazila in Rangpur district. When his village gets flooded, he takes up boat rowing as an occupation, transferring the locals from one place to another. His wife Sharmin, wisely manages their resources, saving a portion of his income to create a financial cushion during challenging times. She also stockpiles essential grains like rice, corn and barley to ensure their sustenance during rainy periods.

Meanwhile, other villagers have diversified their means of livelihood by venturing into livestock rearing and poultry farming when conventional crop cultivation becomes unfeasible due to flooding. A noteworthy practice known as 'Akashbondhok' has also emerged in the area, whereby the landless are able to borrow money from those more affluent in the community during the flood months. Additionally, affected individuals are tapping into microcredit opportunities provided by local NGOs, in order to enhance their financial resilience. The local disaster management recognizes the significance of indigenous knowledge in adapting to floods and actively disseminates this valuable information among the community. Through their collective efforts, the people living along the Teesta river basin have not only learned to withstand the challenges presented by climate change, but also thrive amidst adversities.