ASSESSING THE MAGNITUDE OF FLOOD DAMAGE IN INDIA
Keywords:
Flood, disaster, anthropogenic, deforestation, urbanization, agriculture, Ganga, flood plains, effective management, delay, hasten, divert, impacts, minimizing, society, environment.Abstract
Flood disasters are a natural phenomenon resulting from heavy rainfall and other environmental
factors; however, anthropogenic activities like deforestation, urbanization, and faulty agricultural practices
can exacerbate them. Floods become a hazard when they inflict significant damage to human life and property.
India has been severely affected by floods, especially in the Ganga plain areas. The magnitude of flood damage
in India is shown in Table II. Effective flood management is vital to minimize the impact of floods on human
society and the environment. Delaying runoff, hastening the discharge of river water, reducing the volume of
water, diverting floodwater, and reducing the impacts of floods are some measures that can be taken. Overall,
this document emphasizes that understanding the causes and consequences of flooding and implementing
effective flood management strategies are crucial steps to minimize the impact of floods on society and the
environment.
