Droughts and Floods

Analyzing the many aspects of drought - a paper from VIKSAT
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This paper by VIKSAT presented at the Regional Workshop on Sustainable Livelihoods and Drought Management in South Asia: Issues, Alternatives and Futures at Islamabad, Pakistan from October 27-30, 2002 gives a detailed account of the approach adopted by VIKSAT in drought in Gujarat. This case study attempted to provide a set of guidelines that would be useful not only for implementationn during drought relief activities alone, but also towards drought proofing. The study found that working with people’s institutions both at village and at a regional/taluka level goes a long way in planning, implementation and tackling drought on a long term.

This report published by the World Bank consists of two volumes.

Volume 1 is divided into the following chapters:
Chapter1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Drought And Andhra Pradesh’s Economy: Historical Perspective
Chapter 3: Methodological Framework
Chapter 4: Reducing Vulnerability Of Agriculture To Drought In Eight Drought-Prone Districts
Chapter 5: Managing Economic Impact of Drought at the State Level
Chapter 6: Conclusions and recommendations

This document describes the drought situation in India over the years, the earlier perspective at drought management and the gradual change in perspective at managing droughts that evolved over the years.

Climate and water resources of India, R. Ramesh* and M. G. Yadava; Current Science, VOL. 89, NO. 5, 10 SEPTEMBER 2005 - http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/sep102005/818.pdf

Kosi is one of Ganga's largest tributaries and in turn is fed by 7 tributaries - Sun Koshi, Dudh Koshi, Indravati, Tama Kosi, Likhu, Arun, and Tamar. These tributaries encircle Mt Everest from all sides and are fed by world's highest glaciers. The river drains a total area of 69,300 sqkm upto its confluence with Ganga. The river basin stretches 54,000 sq.kms.

The delta belt is home to approximately 125-140 million people. And over 300 million people are supported by the delta. The density of population in the Delta region is 200 people / sq.km. making it one of the densest regions in the world.

The delta region is a high-rainfall region and receives 60-80 inches of rainfall every year.

125 million people are likely to migrate in the coming century of which 75 million will be from Bangladesh. The people from Bangladesh will most likely migrate to India in addition to our own 50 to 60 million people who will be displaced due to sea-level rise, shrinking water sources due to CC in the densely populated coastal regions of India.

Mumbai Marooned: An Enquiry into Mumbai Floods 2005 - Final Report ,
By Conservation Action Trust - Click here

Enquiry-mumbai-floods-2005-final-report

These floods cause havoc with human life, flora and fauna of the area and the infrastructure in the region.

The Dig Tosho Glacier lake outburst in August 1985, destroyed the nearly completed Namche hydropower plant and all the rails, roads, and other infrastructure in its course.