An analysis of the public perception on flood control assessment of Daspur-i block of paschim medinipur district in west bengal, india

Floods, being natural phenomena, represent a hazard only with respect to human society. Therefore the human response and attitude are no less important in flood risk assessment. In Daspur-I block, there is a great lack of data on social aspects and public response to flood mitigation measures and information management. The number of flood victims are still high in the area, mainly due to the lack of implementation of structural flood control measures. In this paper, studies of flood perception in the Daspur-I block are represented. This area was exposed to floods in every year, the most recent serious flood being in 2011 with loss of Rs. 4.12 crore Crops damaged. The aim of the study is to finding the general attitude toward the floods and flood control. The surveys revealed that floods present a serious threat in the eyes of the inhabitants, and that the perception of threat depends, to a certain degree, on the place of residence. More than 90% people of the area emphasis on the repair and strengthen of the embankments of the rivers to prevent flood. The surveys also highlighted, among the other measures, solidarity and the importance of insurance against floods.