An Appraisal of the Socio-Economic Impacts of Flood- A Case Study of Kalyani, West Bengal

Floods are among the most frequent and devastating natural hazards in eastern India, exerting wide-ranging socio-economic impacts on urban as well as peri-urban communities. Kalyani, a planned town in Nadia district of West Bengal, is situated within the flood-prone lower Ganga–Bhagirathi basin and is periodically affected by overbank flow, intense rainfall, and associated drainage congestion. The present paper critically appraises the socio-economic impacts of recent flood events in Kalyani with a view to understanding the differentiated vulnerability of households and the effectiveness of existing coping and recovery mechanisms. The study seeks to identify the nature and extent of damage to housing, infrastructure, livelihoods, and social services, and to assess how these impacts vary across socio-economic groups and neighbourhoods within the town.

The research is based on a case study approach combining primary surveys with analysis of secondary data. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to a sample of [insert number] households selected from flood-affected wards in Kalyani, supplemented by key informant interviews with local officials, community leaders, and service providers. The household survey captured information on demographic and socio-economic characteristics, sources of livelihood, housing conditions, flood exposure and damage, direct and indirect economic losses, disruption of education and health services, and coping and adaptation strategies. Secondary data on rainfall, river discharge, flood extent, relief measures, and basic service disruption were compiled from municipal records, district administration reports, and relevant government documents. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation, and simple composite indices were used to analyse patterns of impact and vulnerability, while qualitative responses provided insights into perceptions, priorities, and institutional responses.

The empirical findings reveal that floods in Kalyani have multi-dimensional socio-economic consequences that extend well beyond immediate physical damage. Many low- and middle-income households experienced partial or complete damage to dwellings, loss of household assets, contamination of drinking water, and prolonged disruption of electricity and transport. Floodwaters severely affected informal sector activities, small businesses, and daily wage employment, resulting in substantial income loss during and after the event. The study notes that female-headed households, tenants, informal workers, and residents of low-lying, poorly drained pockets bear a disproportionate share of the impact, reflecting underlying socio-spatial inequalities. Education of children was disrupted by the temporary closure or use of schools as relief shelters, while access to healthcare was constrained due to damaged roads and overwhelmed local facilities. In addition, the incidence of waterborne and vector-borne diseases reportedly increased in the post-flood period, further aggravating household vulnerability and expenditure burdens.

The analysis of coping strategies indicates a heavy reliance on informal mechanisms, including borrowing from relatives and moneylenders, sale of livestock or assets, and temporary occupational shifts, while formal support in the form of compensation, insurance, and institutional credit remained limited and unevenly distributed. Although timely relief in the form of food, drinking water, and temporary shelter was reported, longer-term rehabilitation and livelihood restoration support were often inadequate. The paper argues that flood management in Kalyani must go beyond structural measures and emergency relief to address the socio-economic drivers of vulnerability. Strengthening local drainage, enforcing land-use regulation in flood-prone zones, expanding social protection and affordable insurance, and enhancing community awareness and participation are identified as key components of a more inclusive and resilient flood risk governance framework. The case study of Kalyani thus offers policy-relevant insights for small and medium towns in the flood-prone tracts of West Bengal and similar settings in the lower Ganga basin.