Analysis of heavy rains and flood havoc caused by low pressure system in northern Karnataka, India

Abstract

Records of loss of life and damage caused by floods worldwide show that these have continued to rise steadily during recent years. Understandably, the response has been to call for increased efforts to protect life and property. Earthquakes, cyclones, flooding, droughts, tsunamis are examples of natural hazards. Among these floods are common. Flooding refers to an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. It is usually due to the volume of water within a body of water, such as a river or lake, exceeding the total capacity of the body, and as a result some of the water flows or sits outside of the normal perimeter of the body. It can occur in rivers, when the strength of the river is so high it flows right out of the river channel, usually at corners or meanders. Losses of lives, injuries, damage of property, environmental degradation, etc. are the consequences of flooding. In present research paper an attempt has been made to analyze the total destruction of property, human and animal loss during floods in North Karnataka. Floods are threatening number of districts in Karnataka state and it has become a challenging task to the state. Rainfall during 28th September 2009 to 4th October 2009 led overflow of the River Krishna, Tunga-Bhadra and their tributaries. Rainfall up to 377 mm in 24 hours at northern Karnataka was the highest in 100 years. The entire region received 70% of the Annual Normal Rainfall in a period of one week. 177% to 924% of the Normal Rainfall in 15 Districts, during this period. Hence, this paper exhibits detailed analysis of loss during the flood in the state and also explains relief activities taken in flood-hit areas.