Analyzing the Socio-Economic Impact of Flooding on the Mising Community in Dhemaji District, Assam

Abstract— This article summarizes author’s fieldwork and observations related to floods conducted during my doctoral studies at Gauhati University between 2010 and 2016. The information, ideas, and insights presented are primarily based on research conducted in the Dhemaji district of Assam. For detailed investigation, two flood-affected villages were selected at random: Bahir Tapit (Sissimukh Gram Panchayat of Machakhowa Development Block) and Sunarigaon (Muktiar Gram Panchayat of Sissiborgaon Development Block). The central focus of this study is the impact of flooding on the Mising society in Dhemaji, which is one of the most severely flood-affected districts in Assam. The paper aims to explore several key objectives, including the impact of flooding on village settlement and migration patterns, occupational and economic stability, educational institutions and learning opportunities, material culture and cultural heritage, family structures and dynamics, and the role of kinship networks in providing emergency support. It also examines community strategies for mitigating flood effects.