Rainfall and Flood Studies of the Ganga River Basin in India

The Ganga basin is one of the largest river basins in the northwest to north region of India. Since, the region is located in the foot hills of the Himalayas is the area of highest rainfall in the downstream areas of north India causing severe to unprecedented floods during the monsoon season. Examination of rainfall and flood data for the period 1986 to 2016 showed that among all the Himalayan rivers joining the Ganga from the north, the major contributions come from the Kosi, Ghagra and Gandak and their tributaries joining the Ganga along its course through Gangetic plains. The most frequent flood experiencing states are Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Frequency of floods was less in the years 1992, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2015 and it was highest in 1987, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2013 years. Since all these Himalayan rivers are perennial in nature due to their source being in Himalayan glaciers and ice caps, this water resource can be utilized for power generation wherever the necessary drop in water level is available. The progress and prosperity of this country is very much linked with the harnessing of the waters of these main important Himalayan rivers, e.g. the Kosi, Ghagra and Gandak. The study will be useful to design engineers, flood forecasting authorities, power generation, etc.  

Keywords: Himalayan rivers, Ganga river basin, Rainfall, Floods.