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Flash floods
- A flash flood is caused by heavy or excessive rainfall in a short period of time, generally less than 6 hours. Flash floods are usually characterized by raging torrents after heavy rains that rip through river beds, urban streets, or mountain canyons sweeping everything before them.
Measures for flood control in India
- Flood control measures in India can be broadly divided into two categories: structural and non-structural.
- Structural measures are those that involve the construction of physical infrastructure to prevent or mitigate floods. These include:
Dams and reservoirs:
- Dams can be used to store excess water during floods, which can then be released slowly over time. Reservoirs can also be used to generate hydroelectric power.
Embankments and flood walls:
- Embankments are raised walls of earth or stone that are built along the banks of rivers to prevent floodwaters from overflowing. Flood walls are similar to embankments, but they are made of concrete or other materials.
Channelisation and river training:
- Channelisation involves straightening and deepening river channels to allow floodwaters to flow more quickly and efficiently. River training involves building structures such as groynes and spurs to deflect floodwaters away from vulnerable areas.
Drainage improvement:
- Drainage improvement involves digging ditches and canals to remove excess water from flooded areas.
Diversion of flood waters:
- Diversion of flood waters involves building channels or tunnels to divert floodwaters away from vulnerable areas.
Watershed management:
- Watershed management involves implementing measures such as afforestation and soil conservation to reduce the amount of runoff from watersheds.
- Non-structural measures are those that do not involve the construction of physical infrastructure. These include:
Flood forecasting and warning:
- Flood forecasting and warning systems use data from weather stations and other sources to predict when and where floods are likely to occur. This information can be used to evacuate people from affected areas and to take other actions to reduce flood damage.
Flood plain zoning:
- Flood plain zoning involves restricting development in areas that are prone to flooding. This can help to reduce the amount of damage caused by floods.
Flood proofing:
- Flood proofing involves taking measures to make buildings and other structures more resistant to flood damage. This can include elevating buildings, installing flood barriers, and using waterproof materials.
Flood insurance:
- Flood insurance can help to compensate people for losses caused by floods.
Community preparedness and education:
- Community preparedness and education programs can help people to understand the risks of floods and to take steps to protect themselves.
India has a long history of flooding, and the country has developed a comprehensive set of flood control measures. These measures have helped to reduce the number of deaths and the amount of damage caused by floods in recent years. However, floods continue to be a major problem in India, and the country is working to further improve its flood control measures.