Latest news with #TechnicalGuidelinesonFloodplainZoning2025
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Climate
- New Indian Express
New floodplain guidelines: Non-structural measures to mitigate disasters
The southwest monsoon has once again proven disastrous for many states in India. A series of flash flood events like the recent one in Uttarakhand have wreaked devastation in several areas with the visuals of complete extermination of habitations near the water channels portraying the alarmity of the situation. The calamitous occurences, though, are not limited to this year. Numerous major events in the past two decades illustrate how encroachments on floodplains have worsened the impact of flood disasters. Most of the floods highlight the consequences of rapid urbanisation, encroachments on waterbodies and lands adjacent to riverbanks, and the disappearance of wetlands. These factors disrupted natural drainage systems and exacerbated the crisis. Why flood-Induced disasters matter India is the second-most flood-impacted nation in the world, following Bangladesh, and accounts for one-fifth of the global death toll from floods. According to the National Disaster Management Authority, out of India's total land area of 340 million hectares (mha), more than 40 mha are classified as flood-prone. Flash floods are among the most devastating natural hazards, claiming over 5,000 lives annually while causing considerable social, economic, and environmental damage. Notably, flash floods have the highest mortality rate (the ratio of deaths to the number of affected individuals) compared to riverine and coastal flooding. To regulate development in flood-prone areas and mitigate associated risks, the Central Water Commission (CWC), part of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, has created the first technical framework guidelines, 'Technical Guidelines on Floodplain Zoning 2025.' These guidelines encourage all states to adopt non-structural measures to reduce the impact of flood-related disasters. New guidelines The guidelines categorise floodplains into three zones, each with specific restrictions on activities: the Protected Zone, the Regulatory Zone, and the Warning Zone. Protected Zones (both rural and urban areas) are subject to flooding once every five years. Regulatory Zones experience flooding once in the 5-25 year range, while flooding happens in Warning Zones (only in urban areas) once in 25-100 years.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Centre issues guidelines on floodplain zones, bans high-risk constructions
NEW DELHI: With flash floods causing destruction, the Centre has issued guidelines on floodplain zoning to encourage the states to adopt non-structural measures and reduce the impact of flood-related disasters. The Central Water Commission has created the first technical framework titled 'Technical Guidelines on Floodplain Zoning 2025', categorising floodplains into protected, regulatory, and warning zones. Protected zones (both rural and urban areas) experience floods at least once in five years. Regulatory zones experience floods once in five years and once in 25 years. Finally, the Warning zone (only in urban areas) gets flooded once in 25 years and once in 100 years. In the Protected zone, any permanent structural activities are not advised, except for public purposes such as civil and rail infrastructure. Construction disturbing the natural course of the river channel, except for essential services and infrastructure (ESI), is prohibited. Sustainable activities are encouraged, but not dumping any solid waste or creating landfills, storing highly volatile, inflammable materials, or establishing large-scale facilities. In the regulatory zone, the framework prohibits any residential settlement, critical defence installations, and the construction of basements. However, it allows public institutions, government offices, universities, and educational Institutions without residential facilities, public libraries, sewage treatment plants, and community halls. In the warning zone, the guidelines prohibit hazardous waste-producing chemical industries and nuclear plants, but allow public utilities.
