FLOOD DAMAGE TO RICE CROP IN BANGLADESH

Temporal and spatial patterns of damage to rice crops in Bangladesh re sulting from river flooding are analyzed countrywide for the period 19 62 to 1988 and at the district level from 1967 to 1988. Floods annuall y damaged approximately 4 percent of total rice production, but distri cts varied markedly in flood-related crop losses. Absolute magnitude o f these losses over time may not justify expensive and controversial f lood-control initiatives currently being implemented in Bangladesh.