Flood :
Floods and droughts are characteristic of monsoon climate. Excess rain gives rise to flood and less rain gives rise to drought. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, "When the water level of the river starts flowing above the danger mark, then a flood situation arises."
From the perspective of geographical distribution, the flood affected area of India has been divided into four major categories -
1. North-East India - Every year there is a huge jump in the water level of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries in this region. Assam has the highest intensity of floods in this region.
2. Eastern India - Under this region, the floods coming in the rivers of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal have been kept. The main rivers responsible for floods in this region are Ganga, Kosi, Damodar, Rapti, Gandak, Ghaghra, Son, Punpun, Kamala and Valan etc.
3. Eastern Coastal Region - The coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu situated on the east coast are prone to floods due to cyclonic rains. Apart from this, the tidal wave and the rise in the water level of Godavari and Krishna rivers also create the problem of floods.
4. Western India - The frequency of floods is very less here in this region. The main cause of floods is occurence of heavy rainfall due to good monsoon. In Punjab, there is a possibility of floods in Ravi, Chenab and Sutlej. The influence of Narmada and Tapti is felt in Gujarat.
1. Indefinite and heavy monsoon rains.
2. Cyclone and strong wind.
3. Breakdown of river embankment.
4. The crooked routes of rivers and their diversion also bring floods.
5. Snow melting in summer.
6. Deforestation from the river source area accelerates the flow of water, which spreads in the plains.
7. The deposition of erosive materials in the river bed reduces its water holding capacity. Hence, the excess water brings flood.
8. Sharp gradient in the source region.
9. Rapid dispersal of water due to shallow and widening of river valley in plain India.
10. Unscientific planning is also a major cause of floods. An area is saved by building dams on many flood-prone rivers, but in other areas this water shows its effect.
Consequences of Floods
1. Soil erosion.
2. Lack of food and fodder and wastage of crops.
3. Destruction of human and animal property.
4. Possibility of spread of an epidemic and other diseases.
5. Housing problem.
6. Stoppage of traffic and communication system.
7. The problem of water logging.
8. Deposition of pebbles on fertile land.
9. Water pollution, salinity problem and drinking water problem, and
10. Destruction of property, etc.
Flood Control Measures and Tips
Flood is a complex and usual problem encountered by India due to its geographical position. Several parts of the country witness mild to severe floods on subsequent arrival of monsoon every year. These floods results in huge loss of life and destruction of property worth crores every year. Hence, several steps have been taken to control this natural disaster-
Structural Policies
1. Establishment of National Flood Control Board in 1954.
2. Construction of long-term multipurpose plan, such as Damodar Valley Project, Bhakra-Nangal Project, Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, Hirakud Dam etc.
3. Control over land use.
4. Prevention of deforestation, classification and afforestation of forests.
5. Research on flood resistant crops and seeds.
6. Fishing in flood.
7. Proper management of cattle.
8. Emphasis on scientific method of irrigation.
Non-structural Policies
1. Law to protect against disaster.
2. Insurance facility (for crops and cattle).
3. Scheme of Affordable Small Loans.
4. Expansion of the capacity and power of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
5. Emphasis on information, education and communication system.
6. Relief programs (by government and private organizations) on priority basis by ascertaining disaster resilient capacity
7. Use of appropriate warning system.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India has sponsored a project titled "Collective Awareness on Disaster Preparedness".
The decade of 1990-2000 was declared as the International Decade of Natural Disaster Reduction.
In the Eighth Five Year Plan, a new approach was adopted to solve the problem of floods. There were two important policies in this plan -
(1) Check Dam Policy
(2) Catchment Areas Development Policy
Therefore, we see that since independence, a lot of efforts are being made in the direction of flood control. Despite this, a long-term policy-making is needed for a permanent solution to this problem. Along with the effort to control floods, there is a need to see floods as an essential ecology. The Indian farmer is prepared to face the calamities of floods, because in return he gets fertile soil every year on which he can grow a good amount of crop even with the use of minimum fertilizer.
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