DAMAGE IN STATES DUE TO FLOODS
LOK SABHA
The information received
from State Revenue Authorities on the damage caused due to floods
during the current year in var\ious States where an area of 35.874
lakh ha. and a population of 306.36 lakhs were affected due to
floods in 2003. 1334 human lives and 8671 cattles were lost. Damage
to crops, house and public utilities amounted to Rs. 972.919 crore.
Ganga and Brahmaputra
basins are the severely flood affected regions in the country.
The Ganga Flood Control Commission constituted by the Central
Government in 1972 has prepared comprehensive plans for flood
management for all the 23 river systems of Ganga basin. Similarly,
the Brahmaputra Board constituted in 1982 under an act of Parliament
has also prepared master Plans for the Brahmaputra and Barak Basins.
These reports/Master Plans were forwarded to the concerned States
for formulating schemes for implementation after detailed investigations.
Further, the Government
of India constituted a number of Committees/Task Force/Expert
Groups including setting up of Rashtriya Barh Ayog in 1976 to
study the various issues relating to Flood Management, the recommendations
of which have been sent to the State Governments for taking follow
up action.
Flood Management
being a State subject, the schemes for flood control are planned,
funded and executed by the State Governments, themselves as per
own priorities. The assistance rendered by Central Government
is technical, catalytical and promotional in nature.
The Central Water
Commission under the Ministry of Water Resources has established
a network of 166 flood forecasting stations on major inter-state
rivers which are providing timely flood forecasting services enabling
the local administration in arranging rescue and relief operations.
The Central Government
is also providing financial assistance to vacrious States for
carrying out critical flood management works.
This information
was given by the Union Minister of State for Water Resources,
Smt. Bijoya Chakravarty in written reply to a question from Shri
Kamal Nath in the Lok Sabha today.
