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New Study Maps Flash Flood Prone Hotspots Across the Indian Subcontinent | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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New Study Maps Flash Flood Prone Hotspots Across the Indian Subcontinent

Posted 30 Jul 2025

2 min read

The Study has found that flash floods are mainly centred in the Himalayas, the west coast, and Central India: Key Findings:

  • Extremely flash flood-prone sub-basins are located in the Brahmaputra, Narmada, Tapi, Mahanadi, Brahmani, and West Coast River basins.
  • High flash flood susceptibility is also observed in parts of the Godavari, Ganga, Mahi, and Indus River basins.

What are Flash Floods?

  • Definition: A flash flood is a flood of short duration with a relatively high peak discharge in which the time interval between the observable causative event and the flood is less than four to six hours (WMO, 2006).
  • Flash Floods and India:
    • Between 2020-2022, the number of flash flood events increased from 132 to 184 (Jal Shakti Ministry).
    • Every year, more than 5,000 people die due to Flash Floods

Key Drivers of Flash Floods

  • 25% Flash floods occur typically within six hours of heavy rainfall often triggered by cloudbursts. E.g., Himalayan regions.
  • Steep Topography and Narrow River Channels in Mountainous Regions: Facilitating rapid water accumulation and downstream surge.
  • Saturated Soil (due to concrete, roads): Water fails to percolate and results in sudden surface runoff.
  • Sudden release of dams, embankments, or check dams due to pressure buildup from upstream rainwater.

Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS): A Tool for Early Warning and Risk Reduction

  • FFGS is a real-time early warning tool that provides 6–24-hour advance notice of flash flood threats.
  • Operational since 2020.
  • Part of a regional initiative for South Asian countries: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
  • Technical Features
    • Provides high-resolution forecasts with 4 km x 4 km spatial coverage.
    • Operates at watershed level, focusing on vulnerable Himalayan terrain and urban flash flood zones.
  • Tags :
  • Flash Flood
  • Flash Flood Guidance System
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