Impact of Climate Change Induced Flood Hazards of 2022 on Livelihoods of Rural Communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

Abstract

This study was conducted to explore how climate change induced floods, particularly the 2022 flood, have affected the livelihoods of rural communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The study focused on two severely affected districts Swabi and Dera Ismail Khan where a total of 2,500 households were identified. A multi-stage sampling approach was applied to ensure diverse and accurate data collection across both districts. Both primary and secondary sources were used for data collection. Secondary information was obtained from official reports, government records, and other relevant documents. Primary data was collected through a structured questionnaire, with each household head personally interviewed. The data was then analyzed using SPSS software. Various statistical methods were applied, including paired sample t-tests, and multiple linear regression. The findings of paired t-test showed that there is a significant difference for landownership before and after the flood (5.63), significant difference of landholding size before and after the flood (6.114), significant difference of livestock ownership before and after the flood (5.34), primary income before and after the flood (6.10). The regression model showed that from natural parameter i.e. climate (4.132) and agriculture (3.430) indicators showed significant effect on the livelihood. The indicators of financial parameters showed that assets is having significant (2.138) while financial support has insignificant (1.50) effect on the livelihood. The results of physical parameter showed that infrastructure (2.10) and water availability (2.77), from human parameter both health (3.60) and mental health (2.05) and from social parameter community (4.153), governmental support (2.16) and re-allocation (3.14) have significant effect on the livelihood of rural community.  

Keywords: Flood, livelihood, rural, financial, physical, Swabi, DI Khan, questionnaire etc