Natural hazards in the Ghaghara River area, Ganga Plain, India

Abstract

The Ganga Plain is one of the most densely populated regions of the world due to its fertile soil and availability of water. The rivers of this plain are the lifeline for millions of people of this vast alluvial plain. All rivers of this plain are characterized by narrow channel confined within wide valley. Continuously increasing pressure of population on this plain has led to the intensification of settlement even into the valley of the river. This unplanned expansion has enhanced the damage due to flooding during highdischarge period and lateral erosion during low-discharge period. Flooding and lateral erosion are identified as fluvial hazards in the Ghaghara River area. Extensive studies have been carried out on flooding, but not much attention has been paid to the phenomenon of lateral erosion. However, it has been observed that lateral erosion is an independent fluvial hazard that operates during low-discharge period. Low degree of compaction due to the presence of sandy and silty facies in the river valley deposits, mass movement, palaeocurrent pattern, and fractures initiates and enhances the lateral erosion. The present paper deals with the fluvial hazards in the Ghaghara River area.

Morphometric Analysis on Two Contrasting Litho-units of a Southern Part of West Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya, Based on Some Derived Aerial and Relief Parameters: Inferences on Neotectonism

“…The displacement is at the rate of 0.77-1.25 mm/yr along the Dauki fault and about 0.68 mm/yr along the Oldham fault. Faster displacement along the Dauki fault has caused 2º -3º northward tilting of the surface of the plateau [3].…”

“…Morphometric analysis is one of the most important tools and techniques to determine and evaluate the drainage basin responses to climate change, drainage characteristics and flash flood hazard [3,4]. With regards to neotectonism, morphometric analysis serves as an important tool in evaluating the geomorphic developments of a basin to attest more precise uplift, incision, erosion and slip rates on faults, etc.…”

Ganga floods of 2010 in Uttar Pradesh, north India: a perspective analysis using satellite remote sensing data

“…Uttar Pradesh, which is one of the most populous states of India, experiences severe flooding problem during the monsoon season, almost every year due to heavy inflows in the Ganga River and its tributaries. Uttar Pradesh has experienced severe flooding in 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2008 and about 30 districts of this state are seriously prone to flooding (Singh & Awasthi 2010). Figure 1 shows the location map of the selected study area (a) the Ganga basin and (b) the IRS satellite image overlaid with district's boundaries (blue colour) and location of gauge stations (white colour circle) located along the Ganga River.…”

Analysis of Flood Damage Assessment through WorldView-2, Quick Bird and Multispectral Satellite Imagery in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

“…Floodplain is relatively plane and low-lying area where water flow over the river banks [7,8,9,10]. As floods are the natural phenomenon but flood hazards cause to devastate the social life of inhabitants, business, housing, and agricultural activities, which often severely damaged during flood [6,11,12,13].…”