Flood damage scenario: A comparative study of the 2004, 2007 and 2017 floods of Bihar

Abstract

Floods as a disaster is quite synonymous in the state of Bihar and in that context, a relative assessment of the 2004, 2007 and 2017 floods could be hatched out. The disaster management authority of the state has a regular monitoring and updated climate change goals with respect to flood management. But the 2007 flood was highly intensive with 1287 human deaths with a maximum in Darbhanga district while Araria recorded second highest deaths in 2017. The most affected by crop damage was the district of Samastipur in 2007 among the three years. Data processing through GIS mapping provides inundation damage. In all the year’s flow of Gandak, Kosi and Bagmati was very high above danger mark. Though in recent years pre-emptive measures are engaged like early warning systems, riparian buffers, wetland rejuvenation and the like.