A recent cloud burst in Uttarakhand left behind a massive swathe of destruction, washing away practically everything from houses and schools, and left farms submerged. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam and parts of West Bengal were inundated as rivers overflowed after Nepal was forced to open dam gates.
Flood in hills and valleys
Flood can be of several types depending upon the terrain. Flash floods are generally witnessed in hilly areas and associated with cloud bursts, i.e. heavy to very heavy rain in a short span. In fact, the terrain amplifies the trouble as large volumes of water roll down the slopes and causes flash floods.
Heavy showers in Uttarakhand on the 14th and 15th of August, had caused several incidents of landslides and flooding across Uttarakhand. Though rain has reduced now, the situation could remain grim for few more days. In Meghalaya, the East Khasi hills, where Cherrapunji lies, are more prone to floods.
Flood in plains
Flood in plains commenced with Odisha followed by Bihar, parts of West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.
Incessant torrential rains raised hue and cry in several villages, situated in the foothills of Uttar Pradesh, almost entire Bihar and Odisha. Though rain has reduced drastically, the situation remains grim due to irreparable damages done by flood-like situation in the states.
In plains flood situation arises due to various factors, beside heavy rain. Surface flooding in plains are caused mostly by inundation and water logging. Heavy rain in the catchment areas of the hills, flows down with rivers and accumulate in the plains below. The flood fury in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar was brought about by the inflow of rain waters from the hills of Nepal.
In Bihar, not only the foothills but also the plains received heavy showers. As a result, water levels of Kosi, Gandak and Bagmati rivers touched the danger mark. The water levels are now receding but the situation remains grim.
Southwest Monsoon had been vigorous over Odisha since the beginning of August and the state had been the most weather intensive pocket of the country. Sambalpur had received a whopping 273 mm of rain, while Jharsuguda received 115 mm on the 4th of August. Due to torrential rain, the state witnessed surface water logging and inundation. Heavy rain also resulted in steep rise in water level of more than nine rivers in the state. Rain reduced considerably by the 10th of August but damage repair continues.
Moreover, places in proximity to water bodies have low absorption power. Dry and parched areas generally absorb rain waters faster than places situated next to a river bed.
Damage done by floods in recent times
Highest number of death has been reported from Uttarakhand. As per media reports, 34 people have been killed in Uttar Pradesh while nine are said to have died in Bihar.
Uttar Pradesh- More than 1500 villages were inundated by heavy rains in this state. The plains of Uttar Pradesh remains unaffected but the foothills were affected, especially due to the release of water from overflowing dams in neighbouring Nepal. The villages lying in the Terai region also received good amounts of rain from the 15th to 17th of August.
Government authorities deployed helicopters to supply food and water to the people marooned in the temporary shelters.
Bihar- Thousands of people have been affected in the districts of Darbhanga, West Champaran and Nalanda after breaches in the embankments of Kamla Balan and Gandak rivers.
The state government has effectively taken up rescue operations and deployed the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force. According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, rain has reduced and the precarious situation will ease out within 2 to 3 days.
Odisha-
The state government had mobilized Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and National Disaster Rapid Action Force (NDRAF) units for taking up rescue and relief operations.
Communication and connectivity are hit hard during deluge and therefore, relief operation of all kind gets hampered. Roads get blocked due to landslide in the hills. Most parts of the flood-hit regions are totally marooned and can only be reached by helicopter. In the hills, this method also becomes unconquerable.
Moreover, air efforts to supply food and necessities are hindered on account of inclement weather and paucity of landing strips. Magnitude of problems grows exponentially and becomes disproportionate to the available resources. Therefore, allocation of resources to the needy appears inadequate and delayed.
picture courtesy- IIT BHU Chronicle