Assessment of change in habitat and farming patterns during pre and post calamityamong farmers affected by national calamity in India

The Kosi flood of 18^th August, 2008 is the single calamity in the annals of India to date, that was formally declared as a ‘National Calamity’! Two most affected districts were selected covering 160 randomly selected respondents. Data were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis and the results indicated noteworthy change in habitat pattern from kachha to semi-pucca types housing during the period 2008 to 2013–2014. Consequently, area under paddy had witnessed a substantial decrease because floodwater ramification had resulted in deterioration of land quality. The lesson learnt from study can be replicated in other flood affected regions of India and across the globe.