FLOOD FORECASTING AND MANAGEMENT

MANAGEMENT

Hydrologic hazards are severe events caused by either excess or lack of water. Floods are the most common hydrological disaster in India. Floods have caused lots of harm in terms of lives lost, people affected, property damaged and frequency. Floods are caused when water overflows its normal range because of an excessive rise in the water level. The rise in water level can result from heavy rain, the rapid thawing of snow or ice, when ocean waves come on shore, or when dams or levees break. There are several types of flooding, with riverine flooding being the most common phenomena. River flooding can be divided into slow rising, and abrupt flash floods result from heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt, and the Flashfloods are caused primarily by intense thunderstorms. Flashfloods are extreme and short-lived, and can result in heavy damage. Given the proper conditions, every river has the potential for flooding. Flood management and control are necessary not only because floods impose a curse on the society, but also because the optimal exploitation of land and proper management and control of water resources is of vital importance. There is a need for an integrated approach to reduce flood hazards and thereby lessen the potential disaster. This chapter discusses the nature of flood plains, causes of floods and flood protection measures including river diversions and embankments

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