Flood risk reduction in India: Are we learning?

Abstract

The year 2010 witnessed a series of unprecedented floods not just in India but globally. From floods in Himachal Pradesh (July 2010) and Leh (August 2010), floods occurred in several parts of Karnatka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and south Orissa during November-December 2010. Globally, severe floods in east China (May 2010), Rio Lorogo, Brazil (June 2010), Pakistan (August 2010) and Queensland, Australia (December 2010) hit headlines. The year 2011 kicked off with yet another flood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (January), as muddy waters continue to ravage Queensland – pointing out very clearly that even developed countries are not quite free from flood risk.