Flood Hazard in India and Development of Early Warning Systems: The Role of Indigenous Knowledge

Abstract

Floods are among the most frequent and most destructive natural calamities occurring in India. The consequences of flood occurrences are not only the loss of lives but also displacement and damage to infrastructure and agriculture. With the changing climate and increasing intensity and irregularity of rainfall due to global warming and climate change, the urgency for better flood control and management is also increasing. This paper aims to highlight the development of flood disaster management in India, including traditional and modern approaches to flood control and the use of indigenous knowledge in conjunction with modern approaches to flood control and management. The paper will conclude by providing some recommendations for better flood control and management in India.