REFLECTION THROUGH FLOOD WATER THEREBY INCREASING FREQUENCY OF FLOOD IN THE VALLEY
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REFLECTION THROUGH FLOOD WATER THEREBY INCREASING FREQUENCY OF FLOOD IN THE VALLEY
A house being slowly inundated with the recent flood
Climate variability and human activities are responsible for high intensity floods in Imphal valley. The valley witnesses severe flood disruptions almost annually, during the summer season of the year. The worst experience was recorded in July, 2015 and June, 2018. Erratic rainfall contributes to the increasing frequency of flooding in the valley. Poor drainage system, improper damming, sediment pollution, siltation, swallowing of river beds and lakes, urbanization, vanishing of traditional recharging structures like ponds and water bodies are the main reasons behind the floods in the valley.
Presently, Manipur is contributing its best level to address climate variability and change. The state is subjected to an increased frequency of sudden floods, especially in the Imphal valley and surrounding areas. Over the years, the condition of rainfall has become very erratic and the nature of rainfall patterns changes drastically. As a result, it has become an environmental issue which in turn threatens the livelihoods and economy of the people. The changes in the rainfall patterns and increase in precipitation are clear indications of climate change in the State. Besides, the pre-monsoon season is also responsible for many floods in the valley. The rain starts in the beginning of April and lasts until September. Sometimes, irregular rains continued up to October along with the retreating monsoon. Considering the total rainfall in the State, early monsoon tends to bring disastrous flooding. During the rainy days, most of the hill districts of Manipur (Churachandpur, Tamenglong, Senapati, Ukhrul and Chandel) are vulnerable to landslides whereas the valley districts (Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal and Bishnupur) are vulnerable to floods. Likewise, the increased temperature of land areas is also responsible for the changing pattern of rainfall in the State. Rains are falling at different times and for shorter periods than in the past. Over the last decades, it is observed that the number of hot days and warmer nights are increasing while the number of colder days and nights are decreasing.
Nowadays, climate related disasters due to anthropogenic activities are becoming frequent in the valley. The average temperature of the valley reaches up to 38 degree Celsius and annual rainfall of approximately 1500-2000 mm. The mean daily temperature fluctuates from place to place depending upon the attitude and topography of a region. The difference in climate variation is mainly due to the spatio-temporal variability of rainfall caused by the Indian monsoons. The South West (summer) and North East (winter) monsoon plays an important role in the climatic influence on Manipur. Most of the annual rainfall received from the South West monsoon during the month of June to September. Sometimes, the North East monsoon also brings flash floods during the winter months of the year. The rains show great variation, uneven seasonal, geographical distribution and frequent departure from normal starting from the pre monsoon season. Such variation in the onset, withdrawal and amount of rainfall during the rainy season affects the water resources, agriculture, power generation, and ecosystems of the state. The state also has many vulnerable points along the major river banks which get breached during the rainy season every year. In these areas, erosion, sliding and slumping of the banks are common.
Therefore, it is the right time to study the changes in extreme rainfall which is causing sudden floods in Imphal valley. Analysis of frequency of rainy days, rain days and heavy rainfall days as well as one day extreme rainfall and return period is necessary in order to observe the impact of climate change on extreme weather events and flood risk can be studied at different levels. As captured in the Vulnerability Atlas, all the major river systems in the State are vulnerable to flooding. All this reflects the situation of flood in the valley and its increasing frequency.
REFLECTION THROUGH FLOOD WATER THEREBY INCREASING FREQUENCY OF FLOOD IN THE VALLEY
A house being slowly inundated with the recent flood
Climate variability and human activities are responsible for high intensity floods in Imphal valley. The valley witnesses severe flood disruptions almost annually, during the summer season of the year. The worst experience was recorded in July, 2015 and June, 2018. Erratic rainfall contributes to the increasing frequency of flooding in the valley. Poor drainage system, improper damming, sediment pollution, siltation, swallowing of river beds and lakes, urbanization, vanishing of traditional recharging structures like ponds and water bodies are the main reasons behind the floods in the valley.
Presently, Manipur is contributing its best level to address climate variability and change. The state is subjected to an increased frequency of sudden floods, especially in the Imphal valley and surrounding areas. Over the years, the condition of rainfall has become very erratic and the nature of rainfall patterns changes drastically. As a result, it has become an environmental issue which in turn threatens the livelihoods and economy of the people. The changes in the rainfall patterns and increase in precipitation are clear indications of climate change in the State. Besides, the pre-monsoon season is also responsible for many floods in the valley. The rain starts in the beginning of April and lasts until September. Sometimes, irregular rains continued up to October along with the retreating monsoon. Considering the total rainfall in the State, early monsoon tends to bring disastrous flooding. During the rainy days, most of the hill districts of Manipur (Churachandpur, Tamenglong, Senapati, Ukhrul and Chandel) are vulnerable to landslides whereas the valley districts (Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal and Bishnupur) are vulnerable to floods. Likewise, the increased temperature of land areas is also responsible for the changing pattern of rainfall in the State. Rains are falling at different times and for shorter periods than in the past. Over the last decades, it is observed that the number of hot days and warmer nights are increasing while the number of colder days and nights are decreasing.
Nowadays, climate related disasters due to anthropogenic activities are becoming frequent in the valley. The average temperature of the valley reaches up to 38 degree Celsius and annual rainfall of approximately 1500-2000 mm. The mean daily temperature fluctuates from place to place depending upon the attitude and topography of a region. The difference in climate variation is mainly due to the spatio-temporal variability of rainfall caused by the Indian monsoons. The South West (summer) and North East (winter) monsoon plays an important role in the climatic influence on Manipur. Most of the annual rainfall received from the South West monsoon during the month of June to September. Sometimes, the North East monsoon also brings flash floods during the winter months of the year. The rains show great variation, uneven seasonal, geographical distribution and frequent departure from normal starting from the pre monsoon season. Such variation in the onset, withdrawal and amount of rainfall during the rainy season affects the water resources, agriculture, power generation, and ecosystems of the state. The state also has many vulnerable points along the major river banks which get breached during the rainy season every year. In these areas, erosion, sliding and slumping of the banks are common.
Therefore, it is the right time to study the changes in extreme rainfall which is causing sudden floods in Imphal valley. Analysis of frequency of rainy days, rain days and heavy rainfall days as well as one day extreme rainfall and return period is necessary in order to observe the impact of climate change on extreme weather events and flood risk can be studied at different levels. As captured in the Vulnerability Atlas, all the major river systems in the State are vulnerable to flooding. All this reflects the situation of flood in the valley and its increasing frequency.