GEO-HYDROLOGICAL APPROACH FOR FLOOD HAZARD ASSESSMENT IN KOSI PIEDMONT ZONE

Abstract

Kumaun Himalayan Kosi Piedmont Zone in district Nainital, Uttarakhand (India) is highly vulnerable for flood disaster due to dynamic upstream hydrological processes and its associated reshaped downstream foothill piedmont geomorphology. Rapid urbanization and land use degradation has been accumulating the vulnerability and risks of flood disaster in the region. Key objective of the study was to investigate spatial variability of flood hazard of the region through the development and integration of multiple geo-hydrological modules considering geo-structural setup, relief, climate, land use pattern, geomorphology and consequent spring hydrology and drainage hydrology. Results advocates that most of the densely populated (2610-9440 person/km2) areas are under high to extremely high flood hazard zones which need an effective disaster risk reduction (DRR) program implementing several engineering and biological measures as recommended in the study.