CHAPTER III THE WORLD’S DISASTROUS RIVER FLOODS

3.1 INTRODUCTION

3.2 DISASTROUS RIVER FLOODS

3.2.1 ASIA

3.2.2 EUROPE

3.2.3 AFRICA

3.2.4 AUSTRALIA

3.2.5 NORTH AMERICA

3.2.6 SOUTH AMERICA

3.3 FLOODS IN : INTRODUCTION

3.4 DISASTROUS FLOODS IN INDIA

3.5 YEAR WISE FLOODS IN INDIA

REFERENCES

32 CHAPTER III THE WORLD’S DISASTROUS RIVER FLOODS 3.1 INTRODUCTION Floods are some of the most destructive forces of the nature, causing enormous damage to life and property (Jacob, 1971, p.16). There are also the disastrous effects after floods. Since ancient times most of the human societies in the world have lived and died with floods. So in that concern many scientists have studied the impact of the floods on various sectors of economy, on its surrounding environment and on human beings. Due to the high population densities around rivers, the floods damage was very considerable through out history. Some times effects after floods killed more people than that of floods. 3.2 THE DISASTROUS RIVER FLOODS 3.2.1 Asia In Asia countries like china, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea and Bangladesh experiences the worst floods. a) China The Huang He (yellow) River flood of 1642 killed about 300,000 people in China. The Chinese rebels destroyed the dikes along the city of Kaifeng, which lead to the flooding of surrounding country side (http://www.epicdisasters.Com). In 1870 due to heavy rainfall Yangtze River of China was flooded with the peak discharge of 0.11 million cubic metres per second (106 m3/s) (http:// pubs.usgs.gov.). The 1887 Huang He (yellow) River flood caused between 900,000 and 2,000,000 deaths in China. That flood was more disastrous as compared to previous floods in China (http://www.epicdisasters.com). In September and October 1887, the failure of dike near Zhengzhou sent flood water from the river coursing through 1500 or more towns and villages this covered 25,900 km (Michael, 2006, p.142). In between the month of July and November 1931, the most catastrophic flood was listed in history of Huang He (yellow) River, China, because it covered about 88,060 km2 (88,060 sq km) and destroyed the homes of 80 people (ibid, p.83). The

33 death toll due to that disastrous flood was near about 1,000,000 to 3,700,000. There were two main reasons behind floods of Huang He River- First- High silt content that gives the river its yellow tint, Second- The broad expanse of the plain that lies around Huang He River (http: //www.epicdisasters.com.). At the same year, 1931, Yangtze River of China recorded the flood with death toll of 145, 000 (http://www.epiedisasters.com). After heavy rain Yangtze River rose 30m (97 feet) that lead to critical flood situation in the region. At the same time that flood was followed by famine. About 3.7 million people died by drowning or from starvation (ibid, p.143). In China more deaths were caused by the floods of Huang He River but the Yangtze has had more than 1000 recorded floods (ibid). The 1938, Huang He River flood of China has lead to form protection policy of China, because nationalist Chinese troops under Chiang Kai-Shek broke the levees in an attempt to turn back advancing Japanese troops. The death toll due to this flood was near about 500,000 to 900,000 (ibid).The 1975, Ru River flood in China was very disastrous, which was categorized as a technological hazard as the flood was caused due to the collapse of the Banquia and following a heavy rain caused by the typhoon. The death toll due to this flood was 230,000 (ibid). In 1998, 14 million people became homeless due to Yangtze River flood (http://en.wikipedia.org). b) Indonesia In the middle of May 2000, the rains combined with tidal surge and cause the floods in west Timor, Indonesia, that left about 20,000 people homeless and killed at least 140 (Michael,2006, p.83). In 2007 the Jakarta city of Indonesia was severely flooded and the death toll was 80 (http://en.wikipedia.org). c) Malaysia In December 2006 and January 2007, there were sever floods in Sabah and Sumatra in peninsular Malaysia. In the history of the 100 years of the floods in Malaysia it is found that these floods have caused very disastrous effects. During those floods more than 100,000 people were evacuated from the worst hit state of Johor (ibid).

34 d) Korea In July 1996, the two towns of Yanchon and Munsan were completely submerged under flood water due to the three days continuous rainfall along the border between north and South Korea. Nearly 50,000 people evacuated and more than 40 people were killed during that flood (Michael, 2006, p.29). In 1999 summer caused sever flooding in both north and south Korea (ibid). In May 2006, again the Korea was severely affected by flood (http:// en.wikipedia.org). e) Bangladesh In July-August 1996, heavy monsoon days caused the flooding of Ganga and Brahmputra Rivers. These floods destroyed the homes of nearly 5 million people (Michael, 2006, p.29). Some major floods in Bangladesh recorded in 1954, 1955, 1970,1985,1988 and 1998. Q Pakistan Due to the rock slide the Indus River valley was temporarily blocked within the western Himalaya, Pakistan. But when this land slide dam subjected to breaching in 1841 caused the flood of about 540,000 m3/s (cubic metre per second), probably the largest flood in the recorded history (http: //pubs.usgs.gov.). g) Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia In 2000, the delta of the Mekong River experienced the worst floods. In those floods near about 315 persons were died. 3.2.2 Europe In Europe the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Russia and Netherlands were severely affected by floods. a) United Kingdom In August 1829, floods of the Spey and Find horn Rivers in Morayshire, Scotland destroyed the normal life of Britain. The Severn in the central England was flooded in September 1852. In November 1875, Thames River rose by 28 feet (8.5 metre), this lead to the flooding of central (Michael, 2006, p.46).The 1952 Lynmouth (U.K.) flood caused 34 deaths and it also destroyed over 80 buildings (http:// en.wikipedia.org). The flood of 1953 caused over 2000 deaths in Dutch

35 provience of Zeeland (http://www.experience festival.com). Besides that in 2002 there was flood in Glasgow (http:// en.wikipedia.org). The Valency River valley was flooded on 16th August 2004, which caused great damage to buildings in Cornwall (Great Britain). Further flooding took place in surrounding valleys and in the town of Camelford (http:// en.wikipedia.org). In January 2007, flooding on the rivers of Eden, Kent, Derwent, Greta and cocker as well as others in Cumbria, England caused the loss of 2,000 property and damage of $ 250 million (http:// en.wikipedia.org). b) France At the end of 1909 and early 1910, the France saw a period of heavy rain and snow fall over a period of three months. As a result of that the water level of the Seine River rose to a maximum of 8.62 metre from 18th January to 20th January. Near about 4 billion cubic metre of river water, contaminated with river sediment and municipal sewage, flooded over 5 sq km of Paris. As a result over 20,000 buildings were flooded and more than 150, 000 human casualties were took place (http:// en.wikipedia.org). c) Italy The Amo River flood in 1966 killed dozens of people and damaged millions of masterpieces of art and rare books in Florence, Italy (http:// en.wikipedia.org). d) Spain In 1982, there was a disastrous flood in Valencia, Spain. This flood was known as “La Pantanada”, according to various scholars this flood was the type of technological hazard. Because the river Jucar broke Tous’s reservoir provoking an avalanche of 16.000 m3 s"1, killed 30 men in that area (http://www.experience festival.com). e) Netherlands In 1099, due to the combination of high tides and storms, the Thames and Netherlands were flooded, killed 1,00,000 persons (http://www.epicdisasters.com). In 1287, a sea wall on the Zuider Zee failed this lead to the flooding of low laying polder of Netherlands. The death toll during that flood was 50,000 (ibid). The 1421, again the failure of the sea wall on the Zuider Zee flooded the Dutch low lands in the Netherlands (ibid).

36 f) Russia In 1824, an ice dam choke up the Neva River and because of that, surrounding cities where flooded severely, the death toll in that flood was 10,000 (ibid). In 18 May

•3 1937, Yenisey River with the basin area of 2,582 (10 km ) thousand sq km was flooded very severely due to the melting of snow. In that flood the peak discharge of the river was 57,400 (mV1) cubic metre per second (http:// pubs.usgs.gov.). Lena River at the kasur saw sever floods in 1948,1962 and 1967 with the peak discharge of 0.17, 0.17 and 0.19 (106s4) respectively. The ice jam and the snow melt was the some cause behind those floods. In case of Ice Jam Floods-11 Ice is accumulated at the river bends forming an ice dam and when this ice dam breached rapidly released the water that created flood situation very severe”(ibid). 3.2.3 Africa a) Ethiopia Ethiopia saw one of its worst floods in August 2006 (http:// en.wikipedia.org). b) Mozambique The 2000, Mozambique flood, covered much of the country three weeks, caused by heavy rains followed by a cyclone, killing thousands, leaving the country devastated for yearn afterwards (http://www.experience festival.com). 3.2.4 Australia In year 1916, 1940, 1955 and 2007 Australia saw the sever floods in its history. In year 1916 Clermont flood caused 61 deaths in central Queensland (ibid). Again the Queensland saw the sever flood in 1940 (http:// en.wikipedia.org). In 1955 the hunter valley floods in New South Wales destroyed over 100 homes and near about 45,000 people were evacuated (ibid). 3.2.5 North America a) United States In 31st May 1889, heavy rains and failure of the south fork dam near Johnstown Pennsylvania released 20 million gallons of water, causing the death of over 2,200 people and $ 17 million in damage. It was the first major disaster relief effort handled by the new American Red Cross, led by Clora Barton (http://www.experiencefestival.

37 com). In 1903, Willow Creek flash flood sweeps away a third of town, with the death toll of 200. In the same year, in between 1601 May to Is' June 1903 heavy rains brought flooding which raised the level of Missouri River 35 feet and killed 200 people. The Mississippi River in April-May 1912 over flows its banks lead to 200 deaths (http://www.epicdisasters.com). The great Dayton flood of United States killed 360 people and destroyed 20,000 homes in 1913. It also damage historic photographic plates belonging to Wilbur and Orville Wright (http:// en.wikipedia.org). In another flood at some year, March 1913, near about 7000 people were killed due to the sever flooding of Ohio River caused by the heavy rains (http://www.epicdisasters.com). In 1916, the Hatfield flood of San Diego, United States, destroyed the sweet water and lower Otay , as a result 22 people were died and $ 4.5 million were damaged (http:// en.wikipedia.org). The great Mississippi flood in 1927 was also one of the most destructive floods in United State’s history (http:// en.wikipedia.org) In 12lh March, 1928, due to the collapse of the St. Francis dam, the Santa Paula, CA was severely flooded. The death toll of that flood was 450. Again due to the heavy rains Mississippi valley in January and February 1937, flooded 32,893 sq km, destroyed 75,000 homes and near about 600,000 refugees were moved away from that place (http://www.epicdisasters.com). The flooding killed about 400 people in south west Louisiana in 1957 (http:// en.wikipedia.org). In 1972 there were two disastrous floods in United States, first was in February 26, 1972, when the Slag Pile Dam at Man, WV collapsed due to torrential rains, led to 18 deaths (http://www.epicdisasters. com). The second was in Rapid City, SD, in June 9-10, 1972, was killed near about 237 people (ibid). In August 1, 1976; flash flood in the Loveland, CO was killed 139 people (ibid). In 1983, the pacific North West was flooded severely; the estimated damage was 1.1 billion dollars (http:// en.wikipedia.org). In Alaska from May to September 1992 unusually the wet conditions plus snow melt caused the 100 year flood in the areas of Alaska. In summer 1993, there was sever monsoon flooding in the American southwest. In May 8,1995 Louisiana flood caused extensive damage. In April and May 1997 the Red River flood was occurred along the Red River of the North in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Manitoba. In October 1998 San Marcos,

38 Texas experienced flooding that had rain totals of 15” to 30” in a short period of time (ibid) In June 2001, flooding killed over 30 people in the Houston, Texas area. In August 2005, 80% of the New Orleans, Louisiana, USA was flooded due to the failure of several flood walls. In the eastern United States, the flood of 2006 was considered as a very disastrous (ibid). b) Canada The flood on 151*1 October 1954 killed 81 people, destroyed 20 bridges and made over 2000 people homeless. After that in June 2005, in southern Alberta there was a most devastating flood; metropolitan areas like Calgary were severely affected by floods the duration of the flood was three weeks and the resultant death toll was 4 (ibid). 3.2.6 South America In January 1992, Brazil in South America saw sever flood (ibid). 3.3 FLOODS IN INDIA: INTRODUCTION Globally natural disaster account for nearly 80% of all disaster affected people (Parsuraman and Unnikrishnan, 2000, p.3).The continent of Asia is particularly vulnerable to disaster strike. Between the years 1991 and 2000 Asia has accounted for 83% of the population affected by disaster globally (Tenth Five Year Plan 2002-2007, P-190). Floods account for half of the destruction brought by natural hazards every year world over (Parsuraman and Unnikrishnan, 2000, p.85). India is the most flood affected nation in the world after the Bangladesh. Nearly one fifth (1/5) of global deaths are occurred due to floods and on an average thirty million people are evacuated very year. Floods in India are very common phenomenon, because annually, the Indian landmass receives a precipitation of 88-89 cm with very high variation from region to region. The annual rainfall in the state of Rajasthan is almost nil; on the contrary the annual rainfall in the state of Meghalaya is 1000 cm. so this variation in the occurrence of rainfall makes the country prone towards the situation like floods and droughts (http://blogs.ibibo.com). There are many small and big rivers in India, leads to the flooding of one or another part of India every year. The billions of rupees have been spent for river

39 containment in India over the past 40 years. India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru believed that dams would be the “Temples” of a modem, secular state of our country. So after that nearly 400 dams have been built in India, along with thousands of smaller levees as well as 16,000 km of river embankments, but the area affected by the floods has expanded from 2 million hectares to 9 million hectares due to deforestation, poor urban drainage, etc.(http://intemational flood network.org). Central water commission, a nodal government agency, has noted that 11.2% of India is flood prone. In 1998 floods inundated 37% of India (Parsuraman and Unnikrishnan, 2000, p.6). The total direct and indirect loss due to flood is estimated about 100 crore rupees annually (Jacob and Joshi, 1971, p.17). In India 4 crore hectares landmass is vulnerable to floods (Tenth Five Year Plan 2002-2007, p.190). Within Asia 24% of deaths due to disasters occurred in India. Floods and high winds account for 60% of all disasters having 70% to 90% annual rainfall due to south-west monsoon, particularly this season is known as summer monsoon season from June to September. During this period low pressure areas formed over bay of Bengal and Arabian sea, where as the high pressure area over the Indian sub continent, so this create cyclonic disturbances that causes heavy rainfall often leads often leads to sever floods in India. And such a sudden floods leads to the loss of lives, property agricultural crops and lands in India. 3.4 DISASTROUS FLOODS IN INDIA The records of the past floods indicates that the peak discharge of the highest floods in India ranging from 1,170 m3 s"1 for a 133 km2 area to 72,900 m3 s'1 for a 935,000 km2 area (http:// list+of+River+Floods+in+India.htm). The table 3.1 depicts average flood damage from 1953 to 1987. Table 3.1 Average Flood Damage, 1953-1987 Details of Damages Average During 1953-1987 Total area affected annually 76 lakh ha (178 ha in 1978) Total cropped area affected annually 33 lakh ha (99.6 lakh ha in 1978) Average lives lost per year 1,318 (11,316 in 1977)

Annual flood damage Rs 298 crores (Rs 1455 crore in 1978) (crops, houses and utilities) Source: Parsuraman and Unnikrishnan, 2000

40 1996 549.9 2.376,693 50.40 1997 443.8 1,103,549 4.90 *998 521.7 1,563,405 0.72 1999 501.7 3,104,064 1020,97 WOO 594.37 2,736,355 800.00 Mill 788.19 846,878 12000.00 Source Tenth Five Year Plan. 2002-2007. P-102 By examining the above table, it is clear that, India was greatly affected by latural disasters in year-2001, because near about 788.19 lakh population was worst affected and loss of property was Rs 12,000 crore. The worst impact of the flood disaster was also found in years- 1985, 1986, 1987, 1995 and 1996. 3.5 YEAR WISE FLOODS IN INDIA The capital city of the state of , Lucknow always experiences flood situation due to Gomati River, a tributary of Ganga. In 1923 the Lucknow' experienced a disastrous flood with the estimated discharge of 75,000 cusecs as a result of that many low lying areas were badly affected (Singh, 1999, p.397). In August 1924, Kolewar in Utter Pradesh was flooded. The Sone, Stream of Ganga River was over flooded with 36,800 m3 s4 peak discharge and 67,878 km2 area.The another flood of August 1924, was worst affected the Kadana in , during that aeriod the Mahi river has peak discharge of 33,000 m3 s4 and 25,491 km2 area Jittp://list+of+river+floods+in+India. html). In August 1935, Chambal stream of Ganag basin was over flooded with a peak discharge of 37,000 m3s4 fora 22,584 km2 area. The September 1947, there was sever flood on Brahmani river of Bolani (Orissa) with a peak discharge of 13,570 m3 s4 for 18,070 km2 area. In August 1954, Ganga River at Farrakka was flooded with peak discharge of 72,900 m3 s4 for a 935,000 km2 area. The Mahi river was over flooded in August 1958 at Chandangarh with peak discharge of 8,160 m3 s4 for a 4320 km2 area. The Godavari River at Dowlaishwaram was flooded in September 1959 with peak discharge of 78,800 m3 s4 for a 309,000 km2 area (ibid). In the 1960, there was almost disastrous flood at the Lucknow .The Gomti River was over flooded due to sudden and heavy out burst of rainstorms. After 1923 flood, the Buttergani area was protected by the construction of marginal embankment; but in 1960 this area was badly flooded as water spilled through two breaches

15522 42 In above table average lives lost per year was 1,318 but after dividing thi average lives lost into the cattle lost and persons died then from year 1953 to 1975 thi number of the cattle lost was 50,331 and number of the persons died was 742.Durinj the same period 8, 00,000 houses were damaged and total direct loss was Rs 210‘ million (Singh, 1999, p.397). From 1953 to 2007 near about 300 sever floods wen recorded in the history of India; of these floods first three were very disastrous 3.4.1 The flood of 6 September 1970, on the Narmada River (http://list+of+river+Floc ds+in+lndia.html). 3.4.2 The flood of 11 august, 1979, on the Maehhu River, which totally destroyed thi muchha-2 dam in the State of Gujarat, leads to more than 1500 deaths (ibid). 3.4.3 The Hood of July-august 2005 was caused due to continuous seven weel rainfall; the western state of Maharastra including the state capital Mumbai wa: flooded severely. The waters have receded and basic services have been re established. The disaster claimed approximately 1,200 lives and affected 20 milliot people (http://international flood network.org). Besides those three disastrous floods, there were many other floods which leat to great damage in our country. But before looking in to those floods, it is essential t( know about the damage due to natural disasters in India. The following table give: details regarding damages in India due to disasters Table 3.2 Damage due to Natural Disaster in India

Year Population Houses and buildings Amount of the property loss affected (partially or totally (Rs in crores) (lakh) damaged) 1985 595.6 2,449,887 40.06 1986 550.0 2,049,277 30.74 1987 483.4 2,919,380 20.57 1988 101.5 242,533 40.63 1989 30.1 782,340 20.41 1990 31.7 1,019,930 10.71 1991 342.7 1,190,109 10.90 1992 190.9 570,969 20.05 1993 262.4 1,529,916 50.80 1994 235.3 1,051,223 10.83 1995 543.5 2,088,355 40.73

41 allowing about 30,000 to 40,000 cusecs of water in the low-lying areas (Singh, 1999, p.397). In August 1962, the Brahamaputra River at Pandu was severely flooded with a peak discharge of 72,700m3s"1 for a 404,000 km2 area. There was another flood in July 1968, when Gish stream of Brahamaputra basin over flooded with the peak discharge of 1170 m3 s'1 for a 133 km2 area 1170 m3s4 peak discharge (http:// list+of+river=Floo ds+in+India.html). In August 1968, Garudeshwar in Gujarat was severely flooded when Narmada river has 69,400 m3 s'1 peak discharge for a 88,000 km2 area, (ibid) as a result near about 10 lives were lost (Griggs and Gilchrest, 2000, p.287). The Indravati stream of Godavari basin was flooded in August 1969 near the Barthagudem with peak discharge of 24,860 m s‘ for a 40,000 km area The Krishna river near Vijayawada was flooded in September 1970 with the peak discharge of 39000 m3 s'1 for a 257000 km2 area (http://list+of+river+Floods+in+India.html). Jaunpur city was affected by rigorous in 1774, 1794, 1830, 1871, 1894, 1894, 1903, 1915, 1922, 1936, 1949, 1955, 1960, 1971, and 1980, because this city was located in the meander loop of the Gomti River. The danger level has been fixed at 74.66 m. at the gauge station one km upstream of . During the decade 1970-1980 flood levels crossed the danger level four times, viz.inl970 (flood level- 75.96 m), 1971 (77.73m), 1976(75.33m) and 1980 (77.25m). In 1971 due to worst flood near about Rs 80, 53,000 were damaged when the riversides and the southern part of the city were submerged in flood water. The flood level of 1980 was less than 1971, but the duration, dimension and horizontal extent of the 1980 flood was surpassed all previous records. The 2/3rd part of the city reeled under water for about 60 days, as a result 13 human lives were lost ,7500 houses were damaged and loss of Rs 25 millions property. In July, 1971 Mahanadi River near Niraj was over flooded with the peak discharge of 44,827 m3 s"1 for a 127,000 km2 area. In the same year and the same month that was July 1971, the Tapi at Ukai and Mahanadi at Kantamel were over flooded with peak discharge of42,475 m3 s"1 for a area of 62,225 km2 and 15,400 m3 s'* for a 19,600 km2 area respectively (http:// list+of+river+Floods+in+India.html). In 1971, there was the

43 second highest flood at Lucknow with discharge of 107,000 cusecs (Singh, 1999, p.398). In August 1973, Sabarmati River at Dhoroi (Gujarat) was over flooded with the peak discharge of 14,150 m3 s'* for a 5,540 km2 area. In August 1973, there was another flood at Tajewala (Uttar Pradesh). The , Stream of Ganga River was flooded with 15,947 m3 s’1 for 11,059 km 2 area. The Damodar, Stream of Ganga River was severely flooded in August 1974 near Rhondia with the peak discharge of

18,100m3 s'1 for a 19,900 km2 area. In August 1976, Kosi stream of the Ganga River was flooded at Barakshetra () with the peak discharge of 23,085 m3 s'1 for a

59,052 km2 area In June 1977; Ravi River was flooded near the Madhopur with the peak discharge of 26,057 m3 s'1 for a 6,087 km2 area. The Ganga River at Rishikesh was over flooded in September 1977 with the peak discharge of 16,000m3 s'1 for a

21,800 km2 area (http://list+of+river+Floods+in+India&ie=l 508859 l&output+html). The Jaipur and 5 districts in west Rajasthan were swamped by the sever flood of 1978, during that flood near about 80 casualties were found in that area (Malshe, P-6). The flood of August 1979 was recorded as the most disastrous flood in history of Gujarat. The macchu dam was totally destroyed during that flood and the death toll was 1,500 with the loss of millions of US dollars (http://list+of+river+Floods+in+Indi a&ie=l508859l&output+html). Again in 1979, Nagpur and 7 districts of Vidarbha were flooded; during that flood 40 casualties were found (Malshe, p.6). The Banas, Stream of Sabarmati River was flooded in August 1979 near Dantiwada with the peak discharge of 11,950 m3 s'1 for a 2,862 km2 area (http://iist+of+river+Floods+in+India. html). In 1980 the Lucknow and 41 other district in Utter Pradesh were worst affected by flood because during that period there was low pressure area over Utter Pradesh, in that flood 1013 casualties were found (http:/,J3logs.ibibo.com and Malshe, p.6). Again in 1980 the gushing water inundated several low-lying localities of the Lucknow (Singh, 1999, p.398). In 1993, the monsoon followed particularly haras summer, when the mercury touched 47 degrees in some parts of central India, while other region suffered

44 incessant heat waves. But once the rains come, they refused to sop. The trickle soon turned in to a torrent, and a vast region-stretching from Kasmir in the north-west to Arunachal Pradesh in the north-east come under water. The loss of the human lives was high and the damage to property ran into billions of dollars. Punjab witnessed its worst floods in over 45 years, and so did Haryana, eastern Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. Even Jammu and Kashmir, one of the least flood prone states, had large area submerged under several feet of water. Even in those states where the floods are so much a recurring phenomenon-Delhi, Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya-the people were completely caught unaware. In 1994 more than 147 people died in since the onset of monsoon that year. According to rough estimate, 100,000 marooned in , in other places like Bihar, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh experiences flash floods. The loss due to floods in in that year had been estimated at 17.5 million dollar. In 1995, in Uttar Pradesh, Harayana and Arunachal Pradesh more than 214 people died in flash flood. The West Bengal and Sikkim was also experienced flood. In 1996 more than 58 people died in Rajasthan and 150 villages marooned. The 300 km Jammu and Kashmir National Highway was closed for more than 10 days cutting it with another 147 missing. The floods were caused due to the breaching of a number of medium and minor irrigation sources following heavy down pour of couple of days. In 1998 the Kaziranga (one of the premier wild life sanctuary of the country) was severely affected by three phases of floods that began in June. Some 18 Rhinos have died as a result of the floods. With 95 percent of park flooded, there were very few places to hide. The Hog Deer population of Kaziranga prior to those years hovered around ll,000.now, even after protected recuperation; the numbers are down to the 6,000 mark. In 1999 capital New Delhi was hit severely by flood. The most affected colonies were in north-east, east and north-west. Delhi is water-logged only in pockets. That is because the drainage system is not maintained properly. In 2000 the Himachal flood toll exceeded 130 with major parts of Kinnaur a district of Himachal Pradesh cut off for more than 10 days. More than 60,000 people were affected by floods across Tripura triggered by torrential rain. In 2005 there was severe flooding in western part of India. More than 1000 people have already perished after weeks of

45 incessant rainfall. The city of Mumbai was deluged with 37 inches of rain in 24 hours- the most any Indian city has ever received in one day. In the state of Gujarat were up to 10,000 different villages have been inundated by flood waters. OBI relief efforts are also underway in Uttar Pradesh and Yavatmal, , where more than 3000 people have received medical care and 350 families were given temporary housing materials. According to Maharashtra State Government Reports -the 20,000 ha of farmland have become waste due to topsoil being wasted away. Nearly 550,000 ha of crop were damaged. There was also the loss of more than 26,000 cattle, besides those more than 350,000 houses were partly damaged and over 14,000 houses were totally destroyed. The damage to roads and bridges estimated at CHF 330 million (Fig.3.1) (http://www.Intemational flood network.org).

46 MAHARASHTRA Severely Flood Affected Districts 2006

Source: Daily Pudhari • 8* August 2008

Fig. 3.1

47 REFERENCES 1. Dandekar, M.M and De, U.S. (2001): “Natural Disasters in Urban Area,” The Deccan Geographer, Vol.39, No.2, p.6. 2. Dunu, Roy (2000): “Floods: A Small Matter of History,” in Parsuraman, S. and Unnikrishnan, P. V. (ed.), Oxford University Press, New Delhi, p.148. 3. Gill, Y. S. (2000): “The Science of Disaster,” in Parsuraman S. and Unnikrishnan P. V. (ed), Oxford University Press, New Delhi, p.85. 4. Jacob, Alice and Joshi, K.C. :( 1971) “Low Retailing to Flood Control in India” Under the Auspices of the Indian Law Institute, New Delhi Bombay, N.M.Tripathi Pvt. Ltd, pp.16-17. 5. Michael, Allaby: (2006) “The Encyclopedia of Natural Calamities Floods,” Viva Books Private Limited, New Delhi, pp.29,46, 83,142-143. 6. Parsuraman, S. And Unnikrishnan, P. V. (2000): “Disaster Response in India: An Overview,” in Parsuraman S. and Unnikrishnan P. V. (ed), Oxford University Press, New Delhi, P-3 and 16. 7. Singh, Savindara (1999): “Environmental Geography,” Prayag Pustak Bhawan, 20-A, University Road, Allahabad, Pp- 397-399. 8. Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-2007): Dimensions and Strategies, Planning Commission, Vol-I, Government of India, New Delhi, p.190 & 192. WEB SITE REFERENCES 1. http://www.epicdisasters.com/index.php/site/comments/the-worlds-worst- floods by_d eath toll/ 2. http:// pubs.usgs.gov./circ/2004/circ 1254/pdf circ 1254.pdf. 3. http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/list_of_floods. 4. http://www.experience festival.com/a/flood/id/18951001 5. http://www.epicdisasters.com/index.php/site/comments/thedead list_us_floods 6. http://www.epicdisasters.com/index.php/site/comments/the-worlds-worst- floods bydeathtoll/ 7. http://blogs.ibibo.com/ViewComments.aspx7blogkN15a73d484f2d8db0912e7 34e8c 13&mid=4a7ad049.e040.4b31 .a4a4.94438716728d. 8. http://intemational flood network.org/A R 2006/ AR08N andy.pdf.

48 9. http://167&lpg=P A167&ots-9AOAxVKlid&dq=list+of+river+Floods+in+Indi aie= 15088591 &output+html&sig=+frnT drj iGBgbgxmr. 3 8C2G6+b8

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