Flood History
Flood History
1. Introduction: Riverbank erosion during high flood period in the valley is a regular annual feature. Over bank flood due to breaches in the embankment render the fertile cultivable land unsuitable for crop production due to deposition of coarse sand on the surface to a variable depth. As per Assam Government Revenue Dept. records, an area of 6116 hectares of land was affected by soil erosion in Upper Brahmaputra Valley and North Bank Plain zone during 1994. Heavy pressure exerted by high floodwater on the embankment wash away the weaker portions of the embankments and inundates the nearby areas with consequent effect of heavy silt and sand deposition on the fertile cultivated fields.
Before 1950 floods occurred in Assam in 1897,1910, 1911, 1915, 1916, 1931, mainly in the north bank of river Brahmaputra
After 1950, floods occurred in Assam in ’54, ’62, ’66, ’72, ’74, ’77, ’78, ’ 84, ’86, ’87, '88, '89, '90, '91, '92, '93, '94, '95, '96, '97, '98, '99, '2000, and is still continuing.
2. The Indian Scenario - A Glimpse
Flood Damages in India 1953-1994 Item | Average (1953-1994) | Maximum | Area affected (in Million hectares) | 7.56 | 17.5 (1978) | Population affected (in millions) | 32.0 | 70.45 (1978) | Cropped Area affected (In Million Hectares) | 3.53 | 10.15 (1988) | Damage to Houses (in millions) | 1.17 | 3.51 (1978) | Number of Cattle Lost | 96,713 | 6,18,248 (1979) | Number of Human Lives lost | 1504 | 11,316 (1977) | Damage to houses, crops and public utilities (in Rs. Crores) | 982.1 | 4630.3 (1988) |
3. Flood in Assam
A summary of the flood damages in Assam (1953 - 1995) ITEM | TOTAL | MAXIMUM | Area affected (in Million hectares) | 41.66 | 3.82 (1988) | Population affected (in millions) | 98.10 | 10.47 (1987) | Damage to cropsA) Area (In Million Hectares)B) Cost (in Rupees Crores) | 5.083288.31 | 1.13 (1988)334.10(1988) |
1. Introduction: Riverbank erosion during high flood period in the valley is a regular annual feature. Over bank flood due to breaches in the embankment render the fertile cultivable land unsuitable for crop production due to deposition of coarse sand on the surface to a variable depth. As per Assam Government Revenue Dept. records, an area of 6116 hectares of land was affected by soil erosion in Upper Brahmaputra Valley and North Bank Plain zone during 1994. Heavy pressure exerted by high floodwater on the embankment wash away the weaker portions of the embankments and inundates the nearby areas with consequent effect of heavy silt and sand deposition on the fertile cultivated fields.
Before 1950 floods occurred in Assam in 1897,1910, 1911, 1915, 1916, 1931, mainly in the north bank of river Brahmaputra
After 1950, floods occurred in Assam in ’54, ’62, ’66, ’72, ’74, ’77, ’78, ’ 84, ’86, ’87, '88, '89, '90, '91, '92, '93, '94, '95, '96, '97, '98, '99, '2000, and is still continuing.
2. The Indian Scenario - A Glimpse
Flood Damages in India 1953-1994 Item | Average (1953-1994) | Maximum | Area affected (in Million hectares) | 7.56 | 17.5 (1978) | Population affected (in millions) | 32.0 | 70.45 (1978) | Cropped Area affected (In Million Hectares) | 3.53 | 10.15 (1988) | Damage to Houses (in millions) | 1.17 | 3.51 (1978) | Number of Cattle Lost | 96,713 | 6,18,248 (1979) | Number of Human Lives lost | 1504 | 11,316 (1977) | Damage to houses, crops and public utilities (in Rs. Crores) | 982.1 | 4630.3 (1988) |
3. Flood in Assam
A summary of the flood damages in Assam (1953 - 1995) ITEM | TOTAL | MAXIMUM | Area affected (in Million hectares) | 41.66 | 3.82 (1988) | Population affected (in millions) | 98.10 | 10.47 (1987) | Damage to cropsA) Area (In Million Hectares)B) Cost (in Rupees Crores) | 5.083288.31 | 1.13 (1988)334.10(1988) |