CS(AR)-23/96-97 : Flood plain mapping of Phulbari area using satellite data (Assam/Meghalaya)

Abstract

Flood is a natural calamity in which most parts of the North Eastern States are ravaged. Management of the problem in these disastrous flood affected areas often requires flood plain mapping for protection and resource development. This has mostly being done on the basis of ground based survey which is time consuming as well as often hazardous.

Remote sensing methods especially with the advent of satellite era, provide excellent periodic information in real time for these areas. In fact, data obtained from satellite has now become the only reliable means for mapping the problem areas.

Phulbari, one of such problem areas in Assam & Meghalaya within flood plain of the mighty Brahmaputra has been undergoing continuous erosion by the recurrent floods. To conceive protection scheme for Phulbari, flood plain mapping has long been warranted. The report attempts to map the flood plain of the area with the remote sensing data for which IRS-1A & 1B, 1 :50000 False Colour Composite have been used. Analysis has been carried out from the delineation of pre & post monsoon periods of 1988, 1992, and 1996. Survey of India toposheet (1961) has been compared with the latest satellite data for the study of bankline migration of the Brahmaputra at Phulbari area. Extensive site visit was made for ground truth verification and interpretations from imageries were supplemented.