Investigating the effects of floods on sustainable livelihoods of rural households (Case study of Abestan district, Khorramabad Township)

Floods are one of the natural hazards that in some cases lead to destructive phenomena and leave terrible social, economic and health effects. Meanwhile, rural communities are more vulnerable due to climate change-dependent livelihoods. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of floods on sustainable livelihoods of rural households in Abestan rural area in Khorramabad Township. The statistical population of this study includes all heads of rural households living in the villages of Abestan rural area, which according to the statistics of Lorestan Agricultural Jihad, their number is 2340 households. Using Cochran's formula, the sample size of 150 households was determined. To select the samples, probabilistic random sampling was used. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as t-test of paired samples. The results of ranking livelihood capital before and after the flood showed that social capital is in the first place with the highest average and human capital is in the last place with the lowest average. In addition, the results of the comparison of the average showed that the average financial, social, human, physical and natural capital in the post-flood is lower than pre- flood. In other words, the occurrence of floods has reduced the five dimensions of the living capital of the rural households. According to the results of this study, solutions for flood risk management and crisis in rural communities have been presented.