Why are floods more frequent in northern India than in southern India?

Deforestation is the main reason for excessive and frequent floods in the plains of Northern India. In catchment areas, this has led to an increase in the stilt content of the river flow. Deforestation has caused erosion in western ghats, UP, and in Himachal Pradesh.

Where are floods more frequent in India?

Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Bihar are the five states most vulnerable to droughts, floods, cyclones, or a combination of the three, says the study titled ‘Mapping India’s Climate Vulnerability — A District Level Assessment. ‘

Which river causes the flood like situation in the northern plain every year?

Kosi, the sorrow of Bihar, has remained an enigma for engineers and policymakers for the number of avulsions it has had till date causing huge floods every time. It was as recent as 2008 when it breached the embankment in Kushaha (Nepal) and shifted 108 km eastwards.

Why does it flood so much in India?

India’s agrarian economy depends heavily on monsoon rain. Too little means a drought, and too much can cause catastrophic flooding. Extreme rainfall washes away fertile topsoil, while droughts deplete groundwater reserves that have been declining rapidly in many parts of the country for years.

Why do you think floods are more frequent in?

Floods are made more likely by the more extreme weather patterns caused by long-term global climate change. Change in land cover—such as removal of vegetation—and climate change increase flood risk.

Why are river plains of India prone to floods?

Heavy rains lead to a rise in volume of the river load, which causes change in river course. As a result of this, water spills over into adjoining areas which are not able to drain this water out and thus get flooded. North Indian Rivers such as Damodar, Kosi, and Brahmaputra are known for their proneness to floods.

Which area are more prone to floods?

The most flood prone region of the nation is the basin of the Himalayan rivers covering parts of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal (Fig. 1). The Kosi and the Damodar are the main rivers causing floods here.

Which highly populated city in India is prone to high risk of flood?

This review article provides an assessment regarding quantification, management and climate change impacts of flood risks in Surat, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, which are the most populated coastal cities in India.

Where do floods mostly occur?

Where Do Floods Occur? River floodplains and coastal areas are the most susceptible to flooding, however, it is possible for flooding to occur in areas with unusually long periods of heavy rainfall. Bangladesh is the most flood prone area in the world.

How frequent are floods in India?

The frequency of major floods is more than once in five years. Floods have also occurred in areas, which were earlier not considered flood prone. An effort has been made in these Guidelines to cover the entire gamut of Flood Management.

What precautions are taken against floods?

Stay informed about flooding conditions in your area.

Don’t try to walk through a flooded area.

Avoid flooded areas if you are in a vehicle.

A stalled car should be abandoned immediately.

Evacuate a flooded area immediately if instructed to do so.

Why are areas prone to flooding?

When rain falls, the surface runoff can move very quickly from mountainous or hilly areas to low lying areas making these low lying areas more prone to flooding. Human activities that degrade the environment often increases flooding.

Which areas of India are most affected by floods and why?

Among the severely affected areas of the country are the Brahmaputra valleys, north Bihar (Kosi River and north Gangetic plain) and lower West Bengal. Apart from these, floods affect large areas in the following belts: (i) The lower courses of rivers in the north Indian plains get silted and change their courses.

How does river Ganga cause floods in India?

Near the convergence of river Ganga with its tributaries, free flow of the water is interrupted when Ganga itself is in floods. As a result of the congestion of the water in these tributaries, the water level raises at times causing floods. Owing to such floods, the cultivated lands face total destruction.

Why does the Yamuna River flood in India?

The Yamuna is famous for flooding Haryana and Delhi. Bihar experiences massive dangerous flood every year. River Burhi, Bagmati, Gandak, Kamla along with many small rivers contribute to that. In West Bengal, rivers like Mahananda, Bhagirathi, Damodar, Ajay etc. causes floods because of tidal effects and insufficient river channels.

Why do floods occur in Punjab and Haryana?

The problem of floods is less serious than in other regions. The main problem is inadequate drainage of the surface that causes flooding in large areas. In the plains of Punjab and Haryana, much of the rainwater flows into a flooded and poorly drained area.