Sambodhi (Indological research journal of L. D. I. I) (UGC Care Journal) ISSN: 2249-6661 Vol-44, No.-3, (III) July-August (2021) 31 Copyright ⓒ2021Authors FLOOD HAZARD AND LIVELIHOOD PATTERN IN FLOOD AFFECTED AREAS OF ASSAM WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO DHEMAJI AND LAKHIMPUR DISTRICTS Jayanta Barooah Research Scholar, Department of Management, Assam down town University, Assam. Email: jbadhyayan@gmail.com Dr. Santosh Kumar Upadhyay Associate Professor, Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Assam down town University, Assam. Dr. Rabinjyoti Khataniar Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, B.H College, Assam Abstract: The state of Assam has been experiencing highest number of floods which adversely affect life of its inhabitants and their livelihoods. Dhemaji and Lakhimpur are the two important districts of eastern Assam which face havoc of flood every year with massive destruction leaving many people of these regions helpless and homeless. The people living in the flood affected areas of these two districts had to struggle hard to sustain their lives and livelihoods. The study is mainly concerned with the livelihood pattern of the people residing in flood affected areas of Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts of Assam and how devastating floods affect human life, livelihood and livelihood assets of these two districts. The present study is based on secondary data such as journals, report, statistical hand book and Economic survey, Assam, Census of India 2011, websites and so on. It was found that though recurring flood caused a huge damage to paddy field and agricultural sector, agriculture is still considered to be the most important source of livelihood. Due to recurrent flood, farmers cannot depend on wet paddy cultivation alone. They have grown flood resistant paddy seed like ‘Bao’ which they can cultivate during rainy season also. Besides agriculture, other livelihood options available in the flood affected areas of both the districts comprise of animal husbandry including live stocks and poultry, sericulture, handlooms, horticulture, fishing and so on. Implementation of Integrated Farming System (IFS) in some flood affected areas of Dhemaji district which included Rice-Fish-Horticulture and Livestock-Fish-Horticulture as Livelihood interventions enhanced income of the farmers. The study also revealed that huge range of fertile croplands in the districts of Dhemaji and Lakhimpur have turned barren as a result of the massive accumulation of sand from the flood water of Brahmaputra and its tributaries. The farmers have no longer been able to grow any suitable crops in such damaged soils. Therefore, a large number of people shift to greener pastures. This paper is expected to provide some insight that may help policy formulation towards flood management and providing livelihood security to the people of these two districts. Keywords: Livelihood, Flood affected areas, Adverse effect, Agriculture, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur Introduction: Livelihood is a means of supporting one’s existence especially financially or vocationally. It encompasses people’s capabilities, assets, income and activities required to secure the necessities of life. Livelihoods rarely refer to a single activity. It includes complex, contextual, diverse and dynamic strategies developed by households to meet their needs. (•Gaillard, J.; Maceda, E.; Stasiak, E.; Le Berre, I. and Espaldon, M. , 2009)