Integrated Flood Management

Abstract

Flood is one of the most damage causing natural disasters in the world. Every year floods exert a heavy toll on human life and property in many parts of the world. Flooding is not just confined to certain regions of the world but is a globally pervasive hazard. India experiences one of the highest frequencies of flood and the flood prone area in India has been increasing significantly. The annual average area affected by floods in India is 7.563 Mha. This observation is based on flood data for the period 1953 to 2000, with variability ranging from 1.46 Mha in 1965 to 17.5 Mha in 1978. The average annual direct damage due to flood is estimated to be US$ 240 million (Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific , 1995). The draft National Water Policy of our country (2012) states that protecting all areas prone to floods and droughts may not be practicable; hence, methods for coping with floods and droughts have to be encouraged. Frequency based flood inundation maps should be prepared to evolve coping strategies, including preparedness to supply safe water during and immediately after flood events. Communities need to be involved in preparing an action plan for dealing with the flood/drought situations. The National Water Mission of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) stress a need to develop flood management startigies for the country and for these to include plans for community based adaption.