Guwahati, June 17: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released the Flood Hazard Zonation Atlas of Assam, a comprehensive flood vulnerability map created using 26 years of satellite data (1998–2023).
Prepared by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) in association with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the third edition of the atlas provides a detailed classification of flood-prone areas across the state’s 35 districts and 173 revenue circles.
According to the study, Assam has a cumulative flood-affected area of 27.08 lakh hectares, with over 18.22 lakh hectares of cropland exposed to repeated flood inundation. The atlas categorizes flood hazard zones into five levels—from very low to very high—based on the frequency and intensity of inundation observed via 389 satellite datasets.
The area classified as a very high flood hazard is estimated to encompass 3.26 lakh hectares, while the high category covers 2.86 lakh hectares. The moderate category accounts for 4.65 lakh hectares, and the low category includes 5.32 lakh hectares. The very low hazard category spans 10.96 lakh hectares.
It was released by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on June 16 in New Delhi.
Flood hazard zonation is a critical process for mitigating the risks associated with flooding. It involves identifying the areas most vulnerable to flooding and determining the frequency of inundation they experience. By utilizing a comprehensive dataset spanning 26 years (1998-2023) from Indian and foreign satellites, it has become easier to pinpoint regions frequently affected by floods.
From 1998 to 2023, cumulative flood inundation affected 70% to 80% of the total geographical area in the Bajali and Morigaon Districts. Similarly, Sivasagar, Nagaon, South Salmara, Lakhimpur, Nalbari, Dhemaji, Barpeta, and Hojai districts experienced flood impacts affecting approximately 50% to 70% of their total geographical area. Furthermore, 19 districts witnessed flood impacts affecting 30% to 50% of their geographical area, while the remaining seven districts experienced less than 30% being flood-affected.
The resulting flood hazard atlas is an invaluable resource for understanding the flood situation in different districts of Assam State. Officials say it provides planners with a comprehensive understanding of the severity and frequency of flooding in various regions, which can aid in developing effective strategies to address these events. The atlas is designed to help planners identify areas that require urgent attention and prioritize resources accordingly. It depicts the overall flood situation in Assam through satellite images of significant flood situations, annual flood inundation statistics village-wise flood inundation hazard categories, etc.
The flood hazard maps and risk assessment are valuable tools for informed decision-making in land-use planning, zoning regulations, and development control measures. They help to identify suitable locations for infrastructure development, settlement expansion, and agricultural activities while minimizing exposure to flood hazards.
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