Archival records of some socio-economically significant floods in India (2000-2021)

Each year, floods cause severe destruction in human life, infrastructure, livelihood, and resources etc. Owing to its recurrent nature, it is adding the misery of human and animals in many folds. Now a days, the flash flood gives mental agony to human civilization, further its impact make the public totally handicapped.

In India, each year intensity and spatial extents of floods are also increasing. Lot of modern technologies are now a days supporting to alleviate the problems of floods to a great degree. Hence, it is high time that we should formulate and implement sustainable prevention and mitigation measures by involving the combination of structural and non-structural measures.

In this regard, the archival record of floods can give insight of flood patterns, type, economic losses and the severity. Accordingly planning preparedness and warning may be taken to save human lives, economy and the environment. Thus, a study for archival records has been done for significant floods during last 22 years i.e. for the calendar year 2000 to 2021.

The report clearly indicates that the frequency of floods is more in riverine areas in Assam, Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat etc., compared to other parts of the country. The flood frequency and quantum in Bihar, Assam and Odisha does not show any trend, but intermittently severe floods have taken place in different places. The flash floods are very active in Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Himachal, Arunachal, J&K etc. Due to heavy rainfall, and flash flood with increased erosion/scouring action, the landslide prone areas viz. Uttarakhand and Kerala are also experiencing landslides in such a manner that causes severe casualties. Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) are also presently rising phenomenon in Himalayan region. The coastal regions are also is experiencing multiple and big cyclones almost every year that result into floods. Such incidents may be linked with the climate change. The economic losses are more in urban areas as compared to sub-urban, peri-urban areas. The prepared database would be of immense use for those who are working on floods for different regions, as well as for decision makers, planners, policy makers and communities in flood affected areas.