Assam Floods: A Recurring Catastrophe (GS Paper 1, Geographical Phenomena)
Introduction
- Floods in Assam have become an annual catastrophe, disrupting lives, damaging infrastructure, and causing significant economic losses.
- Recently, the state witnessed severe floods resulting in over 50 deaths and displacing 360,000 people.
- This article explores the causes, impacts, and measures taken to manage floods in Assam.
Understanding Floods
- Floods occur when water submerges land that is usually dry.
- They are the most frequent natural disaster, affecting 2 billion people globally between 1998-2017.
- Causes include heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, and storm surges from tropical cyclones or tsunamis.
Types of Floods
- Flash Floods: Caused by rapid and excessive rainfall, leading to quick water level rise.
- River Floods: Result from consistent rain or snowmelt, causing rivers to overflow.
- Coastal Floods: Triggered by storm surges from tropical cyclones and tsunamis.
Floods in India
- India’s geographical area includes over 40 million hectares of flood-prone land.
- Flood-related damages have increased significantly over the years, with an average annual flood damage of Rs. 4745 crore between 1996-2005.
Causes of Floods in Assam
- Rivers: Assam’s numerous rivers, including the Brahmaputra, accumulate sediment and debris, leading to frequent flooding.
- Monsoon: Intense monsoons and pre-monsoon rains contribute significantly to flooding.
- Climate Change: Melting glaciers and snow caps increase water flow in the Brahmaputra River.
- Human Intervention: Construction of embankments, population growth, and jhum cultivation exacerbate flood risks.
Implications of Floods in Assam
- Wildlife Loss: Floods in Assam have resulted in the death of over 130 wild animals, including rare one-horned rhinos in Kaziranga National Park.
- Infrastructure Damage: Roads and infrastructure suffer extensive damage, hampering rescue efforts.
- Displacement: Over 2 million people are displaced, increasing the strain on relief resources.
Measures to Manage Floods
- National Flood Management Programme (NFMP): Launched in 1954, it provides a framework for states to choose interventions based on geographical and resource constraints.
- Rashtriya Barh Ayog (1976): Established an integrated approach for flood control, emphasizing scientific analysis and national planning.
- National Water Policy (2012): Advocates strategic reservoir operation and floodplain zoning.
- National Hydrology Project (2016): Strengthens flood forecasting with real-time hydro-meteorological data.
- Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP): Focuses on catchment area treatment to reduce sediment load in rivers.
- Flood Plain Zoning: Aims to demarcate flood-prone areas and regulate land use.
- Flood Proofing: Elevating settlements and crucial infrastructure above flood levels.
- National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): Specialized force for disaster response, constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Way Forward
- Early Warning Systems: Modernizing flood warning systems with advanced weather stations and sirens.
- Improved Infrastructure: Investing in well-designed drainage systems and constructing sluice gates on tributaries of Brahmaputra.
- Collaborative Effort: Enhancing cooperation between state and central governments and strengthening bilateral hydrological data exchange with China.
- Sustainable Land Management: Avoiding construction in floodplains, promoting responsible practices to prevent soil erosion, and stabilizing riverbanks.
- Implementing Task Force 2004 Recommendations: Dedicating funds for embankment maintenance and expanding the central government’s role in flood control.
Conclusion
- Floods in Assam are a significant challenge, impacting lives, wildlife, and the economy.
- While various measures have been implemented to manage floods, continuous efforts in infrastructure improvement, early warning systems, and sustainable land management are essential to mitigate the adverse effects of this recurring natural disaster.
