Socio-economic Effect of a Super Cyclone on Some Selected Coastal Villages of Kalapara Upazila under Patuakhali District

The study was undertaken to determine the extent of economic and social loss caused by a super cyclone in some selected coastal villages. The locale of the study was five selected villages namely Niamatpur, Gamoirtala. Islampur, Majidpur and Newapara of Kalapara upazila under Paruakhali district. The sample size of the study was 78 randomly selected respondents. Data were collected using interview schedule during 10 to 20 December, 2007. The maximum loss was reported to be caused to tree resources (21.94%) followed by houses (16.38%), livestock (3.21%), monthly income (2.69%), furniture (1.47%) and home amenities (0.722%). Majority (51.3%) of the respondents had medium social loss, where as 24.3% low and 21.8% had high social loss. Top three aspects of social loss in rank order were participation in social ceremonies, ability of receiving medical treatment, family peace and collaboration. Giving economic assistance (51), disbursement of loan on easy terms and conditions (27) and construction of cyclone center (24) were top three suggestions provided by the respondent to compensate economic and social loss caused by the super cyclone.