NEWS – Researchers from IIT Delhi and IIT Gandhinagar have developed a District Flood Severity Index (DFSI) to assess flood vulnerability across Indian districts, using comprehensive historical data and impact metrics.

HIGHLIGHTS

About the District Flood Severity Index

• Purpose: Measures flood severity at the district level for informed planning and disaster management.
• Key Parameters Used:
  • Mean duration of flooding events in days.
  • Percentage of area historically affected by floods.
  • Total number of deaths and injuries.
  • District population.
• Data Source: Developed using the India Flood Inventory with Impacts (IFI-Impacts) database.
  • Includes flood occurrence and damage statistics.
  • Merges hydrological modeling data with demographic and geographic indicators.

Key Findings from DFSI

• Patna ranks highest in flood severity, highlighting critical vulnerability.
• Many districts in the Indo-Gangetic Plain and Assam are in the top tier.
• Interestingly, Thiruvananthapuram, despite recording the highest number of flood events, does not appear in the top 30 for severity, indicating lower impact per event.
• In Assam, districts like Dhemaji, Kamrup, and Nagaon have each witnessed over 178 flood events, averaging more than three per year.

 Urban Flooding Concerns

• Urban flooding is driven by both hydrometeorological factors and poor urban planning.
• The DFSI underscores the urgency for sustainable development practices and better flood infrastructure.