Disaster Management -

Session 5
By Dr. Abhishek Kumar
FLOODS
Types of Flood
Causes of Flood
Flood Risks in India
Elements at Risk
Main Mitigation Strategies
Consequences of Floods
Some of India’s worst floods
NDMA Guidelines on Flood Management
URBAN FLOODS
Introduction to Urban Floods
Historical Context
Causal Factors
Consequences of Urban Floods
Preventive Measures and Mitigation Strategies
NDMA Guidelines and Government Initiatives
Chennai Floods 2023
CLOUDBURSTS
Definition and Formation
Geographical Occurrence and Risks in India
Impact of Climate Change on Cloudburst Frequency and Intensity
Consequences of Cloudbursts
Impact and Mitigation
Challenges in Prediction and Response
International Perspectives and Comparisons

Disaster Management - Session 5 1

 Conclusion

FLOODS
Definition:

Temporary inundation of large regions due to various factors

such as heavy rains, high winds, cyclones, storm surge,
tsunami, melting snow, or dam bursts.

Types of Flood
1. Flash floods:

Definition:

Occur within six hours of heavy rainfall, associated with

cloud bursts, storms, and cyclones.

Characteristics:

Require rapid localized warning and immediate response.

Timely evacuation warning may not always be possible.

2. River floods:

Definition:

Caused by precipitation over large catchment areas.

Characteristics:

Build up slowly or seasonally.

May continue for days or weeks.

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 3. Coastal floods:

Definition:

Associated with cyclonic activities like hurricanes and

tropical cyclones.

Characteristics:

Aggravated by wind-induced storm surges along the coast.

Causes of Flood
Natural causes:

Excessive rainfall in river catchments.

Back movement of water in tributaries.

Synchronization of flood peaks of main rivers and tributaries.

Landslides causing obstruction to flow and change in river

course.

Poor natural drainage.

Cyclone and very intense rainfall.

Intense rainfall when river is flowing full.

Anthropogenic causes:

Deforestation:

Results in obstruction-free land, increasing water flow into

rivers.

Interference in drainage system:

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 Hampers water flow, leading to floods.

International dimension:

Rivers originating in neighboring countries cause severe

floods.

Cooperation with neighboring countries is essential for flood

management.

Population pressure:

Overgrazing, land encroachment, over cultivation, and soil

erosion increase flood risk.

Poor Water and Sewage Management:

Old urban drainage systems collapse during rainy seasons,

causing urban flooding.

Flood Risks in India

Around 12% (40 million hectares) of land in India is prone to floods.

India receives an annual rainfall of 1200 mm, with 85% concentrated

in 3-4 months (June to September).

Intense rain leads to rivers being fed with water beyond their
carrying capacity, causing flood situations.

Elements at Risk
Houses built of earth and soluble materials.

Basements of buildings.

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 Utilities like sewerage, water supply, communication lines, and
power.

Food stock, agricultural fields, livestock, vehicles, machinery, and

fishing boats.

Main Mitigation Strategies

Mapping of flood-prone areas.

Flood hazard mapping.

Structural measures:

Dams and reservoirs.

Embankments.

Drainage improvements.

Channel improvements.

Diversion of flood waters.

Using natural detention basins.

Non-structural measures:

Floodplain zoning.

Flood forecasting.

Flood proofing.

Disaster relief.

Flood fighting.

Flood insurance.

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 Living with flood.

Consequences of Floods
Floods have wide-ranging and long-lasting effects on both the
environment and human lives.

Frequent inundation of agricultural land and human settlements

affects the economy and society.

Destruction of crops, physical infrastructure, and human settlements.

Homelessness and loss of livestock.

Spread of water-borne diseases.

Fertility restoration of agricultural fields due to deposited silt.

Disruption of transportation networks

Damage to bridges, roads, and railways

Contamination of water sources

Displacement of communities

Loss of livelihoods and economic productivity

Increased risk of landslides and soil erosion

Impact on ecosystems and biodiversity

Some of India’s worst floods

Year Location Detailed Description

1923 Lucknow Heavy monsoon rains caused the Gomti

River to overflow, leading to widespread

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 flooding in the city. This event damaged
infrastructure, disrupted communication,
and posed a significant threat to public
health and safety.

Prolonged rainfall over six days resulted

in the overflowing of the Coovum and
1943 Madras Adyar rivers, causing extensive damage
to life, property, and leaving thousands
homeless.

The Gomti River overflowed after heavy

rainfall in the Himalayan region,
1960 Lucknow submerging almost half of Lucknow under
water, resulting in over 16 deaths and
displacing thousands.

Two breaches in the Gomti River

embankment due to heavy monsoon
rains led to significant flooding in
1971 Lucknow
Lucknow, affecting residential areas, the
main shopping area, and the zoological
gardens.

The Kosi River's annual flooding,

exacerbated by a landslide-induced dam,
1987 Bihar resulted in a catastrophic flood affecting
29 million people, with 1,399 deaths and
significant loss of livestock.

Punjab experienced significant flooding,

marking a major flood event in the region
1988 Punjab
with considerable impact on the local
population and infrastructure.

2005 Mumbai Record-breaking rainfall caused severe

flooding in Mumbai, leading to extensive

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 damage, loss of lives, and widespread
disruption in the city.

A breach in the Kosi embankment due to

heavy monsoon rains led to severe
2008 Bihar flooding, affecting over 2.3 million people,
submerging fertile agricultural lands, and
causing widespread displacement.

The flood affected 1,744 villages across

nine districts, killing at least 120 people
2012 Assam
and significantly impacting the lives of
local communities.

A devastating flood caused by torrential

rains led to the death of over 5,700
2013 Uttarakhand people, with extensive damage to
infrastructure, property, and the
environment.

Catastrophic flooding due to heavy

Jammu & rainfall caused widespread damage, loss
2014
Kashmir of life, and significant disruption across
the region.

Heavy and continuous rainfall led to

devastating floods in Chennai, causing
2015 Chennai
significant damage, loss of lives, and
widespread disruption in the city.

Severe flooding in several districts of

Rajasthan due to heavy rainfall, resulting
2017 Rajasthan
in damage to property and affecting the
lives of the local population.

2018 Kerala Unprecedented rainfall led to severe

flooding in Kerala, causing widespread
destruction, displacement of people, and

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 significant loss of life. The floods were
one of the worst in Kerala's history,
affecting the entire state and leading to a
major humanitarian crisis.

Flash floods triggered by a glacial lake

bursting its banks in the Himalayas
2023 Sikkim resulted in 74 deaths, with 101 people
still missing, causing widespread
devastation in the region.

The 2023 Chennai floods occurred during

the North-East monsoon season
(November-December 2023) due to
heavy rains caused by Cyclone
2023 Chennai Michaung. These floods led to extensive
inundation and property damage. Over
18,000 people were displaced and
evacuated to relief camps located on
higher ground around the city.

NDMA Guidelines on Flood Management

Overview of Flood Protection Programme in India

The primary focus has been on structural measures for flood

protection.

Structural Measures for Flood Prevention, Preparedness, and

Mitigation

Reservoirs, Dams, and Other Water Storages: Constructing

reservoirs in river courses to store excess water during floods.
However, such measures, like dams on the Damodar River, have not
always been successful.

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 Embankments/Flood Levees/Flood Walls: Building flood
protection embankments prevents overflow and spread of
floodwaters. Successful examples include embankments on the
Yamuna near Delhi.

Drainage Improvement: Restoring the original form of drainage

systems obstructed by roads, canals, and railway tracks.

Channel Improvement/Desilting/Dredging of Rivers: Enhancing

the discharge capacity of channels to carry floodwaters effectively.
Selective desilting/dredging can be used to address local issues.

Diversion of Flood Water: Diverting flood discharge into natural or

artificial channels to lower river water levels. Examples include the
flood spill channel in Srinagar and the supplementary drain in Delhi.

Catchment Area Treatment/Afforestation: Watershed

management measures like afforestation and soil conservation,
along with structural works like check dams, help reduce flood peaks
and control runoff.

Non-Structural Measures

Flood Plain Zoning: Regulating land use in flood plains to minimize

damage while maximizing benefits. Mapping vulnerable areas into
extremely (red) and partially (blue) affected zones based on past
flood analysis.

Flood Proofing: Mitigating distress in flood-prone areas without

evacuation. This includes raised platforms for shelter, raising public
utilities above flood level, and promoting double-storey buildings for
shelter during floods.

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 Flood Management Plans (FMPs): All government departments
and agencies should prepare their own FMPs.

Integrated Water Resources Management: Managing water

resources at the basin or watershed scale.

Flood Forecasting and Warning in India: Utilizing real-time

discharge and rainfall data for flood forecasts. Data are primarily
collected by the Central Water Commission and the Indian
Meteorological Department (IMD).

These guidelines by the NDMA highlight a comprehensive approach to

flood management in India, encompassing both structural and non-
structural measures. They emphasize the importance of integrating flood
management into broader development and resource management
strategies.

URBAN FLOODS
Introduction to Urban Floods
Urban flooding in India has emerged as a significant challenge, distinct
from traditional riverine or rural flooding. It is characterized by excessive
runoff in densely populated urban areas, often exacerbated by
inadequate drainage systems and unplanned urban development.

Historical Context
India has witnessed several catastrophic urban floods, with notable
examples including the Mumbai Floods (2005 and 2017), Chennai
Floods (2015, 2023), Kashmir Floods (2014), and Surat Floods

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 (2006). These events have highlighted the increasing vulnerability of
Indian cities to flood disasters.

Causal Factors
1. Meteorological Factors:

Heavy rainfall

Cyclonic storms

Localized weather events like thunderstorms and cloudbursts

Southwest and Northeast Monsoons

Depressions

Cyclones

Western disturbances

2. Anthropological Factors:

Urbanization leads to land use changes, such as surface sealing

and deforestation, which increase runoff and sedimentation.

The occupation of flood plains and inefficient waste

management further exacerbate the problem.

The Urban Heat Island Effect also contributes to localized

intense rainfall.

3. Hydrological Factors: These include:

Synchronization of runoff

Surface infiltration rates

Soil moisture levels

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 Consequences of Urban Floods
Urban flooding can have severe consequences, impacting both the
physical infrastructure and the socio-economic fabric of a city. Here are
some of the key impacts:

1. Economic Loss: Urban flooding can lead to significant economic

loss, including damage to buildings, vehicles, furniture, and
infrastructure. It can also disrupt businesses, leading to lost revenue
and economic instability.

2. Social Disruption: Flooding can cause displacement of people,

forcing them to evacuate their homes and move to relief camps or
other safe locations. This can lead to social disruption and housing
inequality.

3. Infrastructure Damage: Flooding can cause power, water, and gas

outages; disrupt transportation routes and commercial supplies;
pollute drinking water systems; and damage homes, buildings, and
roads. It can also overwhelm local stormwater drainage capacity.

4. Environmental Impact: Urban flooding can lead to severe

environmental problems, including landslides, mudslides, and
pollution of water bodies. It can also degrade the quality of soil and
groundwater.

5. Public Health Risks: Flooding can pose a threat to public health by

contaminating drinking water and spreading waterborne diseases.

6. Inequality: Urban flooding often disproportionately affects

impoverished, neglected, and/or socioeconomically isolated urban
communities.

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 These consequences highlight the importance of effective urban
planning, infrastructure development, and disaster management
strategies to mitigate the impacts of urban flooding.

Preventive Measures and Mitigation

Strategies
1. Improving Drainage Infrastructure: Upgrading urban drainage
systems to efficiently manage stormwater is crucial.

2. Sustainable Urban Planning: Cities need to incorporate flood risk

management in their urban planning, preserving natural water
bodies and maintaining green spaces.

3. Solid Waste Management: Proper disposal of waste to prevent

clogging of drainage systems.

4. Community Awareness and Preparedness: Educating residents

about flood risks and emergency response strategies.

5. Policy and Governance: Implementing policies that enforce

environmental regulations and manage urban development.

NDMA Guidelines and Government Initiatives

Urban floods in India present a multifaceted challenge that requires an
integrated approach involving advanced technology, sustainable urban
planning, effective policy implementation, and community engagement.
Addressing these challenges is crucial for enhancing urban resilience
and reducing the impacts of future flood events.

The Aapada Mitra Scheme focuses on training community

volunteers in disaster response in flood-prone districts.

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 The NDMA guidelines emphasize the importance of Early Warning
Systems, Urban Drainage Management, Vulnerability Analysis,
and Risk Assessment.

Establishment of Urban Flooding Cells for coordinated

management at national and local levels.

Development of Response Mechanisms and Sanitation Measures

post-flooding.

Challenges in Urban Flood Management

Comprehensive risk assessment and urban flood risk mapping are

often neglected.

There is a lack of coordinated effort among institutions for

experience sharing and disaster management training.

Challenges include disintegrated investment decisions and

insufficient stakeholder consultation.

Innovative Approaches and Solutions

‘Nowcasting’ techniques for very short-range forecasting.

Implementation of Rain Gardens to enhance urban drainage.

Utilisation of technology for Real-Time Monitoring and Data

Analysis.

Chennai Floods 2023

Overview of the Event

On December 3, 2023, Chennai experienced heavy rainfall due to

Cyclone Michaung, intensifying into a super-cyclonic storm

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 approximately 100 km east of the city.

By the next morning, areas in Chennai recorded over 120 mm of

rain, with some areas exceeding 250 mm.

This rainfall was the highest the city had seen in seven decades.

Challenges

The city faced multiple challenges:

Toppled trees and waterlogged roads.

Loose overhead cables and choked storm water drains with

plastic trash.

Disruption in transportation with cancelled trains and a closed

airport.

Reports of people being stranded in various locations.

Power outage: The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution

Corporation Limited shut off power as a precaution against
electrocution risks from loose cables in waterlogged areas.

Despite these challenges, 2023 floods impact was not as severe as

the 2015 floods, due to better warnings, preparation, more resilient
infrastructure, and public awareness.

Government and Community Response

The State government and GCC coordinated relief operations,

including setting up relief centres and distributing food.

The Indian Army and National Disaster Response Force

conducted rescue operations.

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 The Indian Air Force and State government air-dropped relief
materials.

Climate Change and Urban Planning

The role of climate change in intensifying Cyclone Michaung is

significant, with warmer seas contributing to stronger cyclones.

Chennai's vulnerability is exacerbated by decades of unplanned

construction, defiance of zoning regulations, and public
indiscipline (e.g., littering).

The city's response capabilities are hindered by these long-standing

urban planning issues.

Need for Accelerated Progress

Expectations for quick resolution of these problems are unrealistic,

but there is a need for more rapid progress in urban planning and
infrastructure development.

Chennai's experience with Cyclone Michaung underscores the need

for comprehensive urban planning, effective disaster management
strategies, and equitable distribution of relief efforts to mitigate the
impacts of such natural disasters.

Experts advocate for a systematic flood control strategy, integrated

drainage system, and rejuvenation of water bodies.

There is also a need to protect and restore water bodies like lakes in
Velachery and Adambakkam.

Conclusion

Chennai's experience with Cyclone Michaung highlights the complex

interplay of natural disasters, urban infrastructure, and climate

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 change.

CLOUDBURSTS
Definition and Formation
A cloudburst is a severe weather phenomenon involving heavy
rainfall over a localised area at a rapid rate, typically classified when
rainfall of about 10 cm or more per hour is recorded over an area of
20-30 sq km.

Cloudbursts occur when saturated clouds, due to the upward

movement of warm air currents, hold raindrops aloft. These
raindrops grow in size until they become too heavy and fall in a
sudden, intense downpour.

They are often formed in mountainous areas where warm air

currents rise from the ground, carrying falling raindrops upwards,
leading to excessive condensation and accumulation of water at
high altitudes.

Geographical Occurrence and Risks in India

In India, cloudbursts are common during the South-West Monsoon,
particularly in regions like the Himalayas, north-eastern states, and
Western Ghats.

They are more likely in mountainous zones due to orographic

factors, such as steep hills that favor the formation of these clouds.

Cloudbursts are also observed in states like Himachal Pradesh,

Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the Garhwal

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 and Kumaon Himalayas.

Impact of Climate Change on Cloudburst

Frequency and Intensity
Increased Frequency and Intensity: Research indicates a global
increase in the frequency and intensity of cloudbursts due to climate
change.

World Meteorological Organization Report (May 2021):

Approximately 40% chance of the global average temperature

temporarily exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels within
the next five years.

A 90% likelihood that one year between 2021 and 2025 will set
a new record as the warmest year, potentially surpassing the
record set in 2016.

Himalayan Region Specifics:

Notable increase in cloudburst events in the Himalayan region.

The rate of temperature rise in the Himalayas over the past

decade is higher than the global average temperature increase.

Consequences of Cloudbursts
Flash floods: Flash floods are rapid and sudden floods that occur
within a short period, often as a result of heavy rainfall. They can
cause significant damage to infrastructure, wash away vehicles and
debris, and pose a threat to human lives.

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 Landslides: Cloudbursts can trigger landslides, which are the
downward movement of soil, rocks, or debris on a slope. Landslides
can destroy infrastructure, block roads, and endanger people living
in the affected areas.

Mudflows: Mudflows, also known as debris flows, are fast-moving

mixtures of water, rocks, soil, and debris. They can occur after
cloudbursts, especially in mountainous regions, and can cause
extensive damage to buildings, vegetation, and transportation
routes.

Land caving: Cloudbursts can lead to land caving, which is the

sudden collapse or sinking of the ground. This can result in the
destruction of structures, roads, and other infrastructure.

These consequences highlight the destructive power of cloudbursts and

the need for effective mitigation strategies to reduce their impact on
communities and the environment.

Impact and Mitigation

Cloudbursts can trigger flash floods, landslides, mudslides, and
cause significant damage to life, property, flora, fauna, and public
utilities.

They pose a high risk due to their sudden nature, making rescue
and relief efforts challenging.

Mitigation measures include inhabiting areas on firm ground,

monitoring physical changes in slopes, banning unscientific
construction, especially in landslide-prone areas, and implementing
bioengineering technology with local vegetation.

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 A dense network of rain gauges in vulnerable areas is crucial for
monitoring and early warning.

Challenges in Prediction and Response

Predicting cloudbursts is difficult due to their small scale and sudden
occurrence.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) labels rainfall over 100

mm per hour as a cloudburst, affecting small areas of 20-80 square
kilometres.

Effective response requires early warning systems, weather

forecasting improvements, and community preparedness.

International Perspectives and Comparisons

Different countries have varying benchmarks for defining
cloudbursts. For example, the Danish Meteorological Institute
considers more than 15 mm of precipitation in 30 minutes as a
cloudburst.

Denmark, as part of its Copenhagen climate adaptation plan, has

implemented measures like separating stormwater from wastewater
and diverting drain water through various urban infrastructures.

Conclusion
Cloudbursts represent a significant geo-hydrological hazard,
particularly in mountainous regions. Their unpredictability and
potential for destruction necessitate robust early warning systems,

Disaster Management - Session 5 21

 sustainable urban planning, and community awareness for effective
disaster management.

Disaster Management - Session 5 22