Natural disasters such as floods, landslides and cyclones have become a big problem these days in India. These disasters are not only harming people’s lives and property, but gradually changing the geographical map of India. The strength of cities and the structure of areas are changing. Come, let’s understand how all this is happening?
1. Which areas of India are the most affected by floods and landslides?
Many parts of India are struggling with these disasters …
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- Himalayan Region: Landslides and floods have become common in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir. In 2023, roads and houses were swept away in Himachal due to heavy rains.
- Ganga-Yamuna ground: Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are flooded every year. The Yamuna river broke the record water level in Delhi in 2023.
- Coastal areas: Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal causes damage due to cyclone and floods. The cyclone Michang of 2023 affected Chennai badly.
- Western India: Gujarat and Rajasthan sometimes flood after drought, which weakens the soil.
These areas are in danger due to geographical location and weather.
2. What are the reasons for frequent landslides and floods in India?
There are many reasons behind these disasters …
- Climate change: Due to increasing heat, the rain is becoming irregular and heavy, which promotes floods and landslides.
- Mountains harvesting: In the Himalayas and the Western Ghats, the soil becomes loose due to harvesting of trees, causing landslides.
- Urbanization: Rivers and drains are closed to build roads and buildings in cities, which stops water and floods.
- More population: Living more people puts pressure on the mountains and plains, which increases the danger.
- Monsoon: Rivers overflow due to 80% rainfall from June to September.
These reasons are bringing disasters in India again and again.
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3. How are these disasters changing India’s geographical structure?
Natural disasters are changing the appearance of the earth …
- Himalayas change: Landslides are decreasing the height of the mountains. The path of rivers is changing. Rivers are getting wide due to melting glacier in Uttarakhand.
- Places of sinking: Due to floods, the land on the banks of Ganga and Brahmaputra is gradually decreasing. Many villages in Bihar have now merged into rivers.
- Coastal areas shrinking: The rising level of cyclone and sea is reducing the coast of Odisha and West Bengal.
- New rivers to become: New drains and rivers are being created due to heavy rains, which are changing the old maps.
These changes are happening slowly, but in the long run the map of India may look completely different.
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4. Are Indian cities becoming more sensitive to natural disasters?
Yes, the city is now in danger …
- Mumbai and Chennai: In the 2005 and 2015 floods, the roads of these cities were submerged in water, as the drains have become old.
- Delhi: The flood of Yamuna affected many colonies in 2023. Due to the construction of more buildings, the place of water was reduced.
- Himachal and Uttarakhand: The mountains are weakening due to tourism and road construction, which has increased landslides.
- Gujarat: Cyclone Bipperji damaged Ahmedabad, as the rivers were affected by the spread of the city.
These are weakening for disasters due to increasing population and construction in cities.
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Frequently asked questions
1. What steps are the government taking to reduce these disasters?
The government has taken many steps …
- Warning System: Meteorological Department and Incois already warns of floods and landslides.
- Dam and drain: Dams are being built on rivers. Drains are being cleaned in cities.
- awareness: People are being told about disaster kits and safe places.
Nevertheless, these steps need to be further intensified.
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2. Can climate change be held responsible for growing floods and landslides in India?
Yes, most experts believe that climate change is a big reason. Glaciers are melting due to increasing heat. The rain is getting irregular. But it also includes harvesting and wrong construction of trees. This is not just the fault of nature, but also the result of our habits.
Floods, landslides and natural disasters in India (estimated by 2025)
Natural disasters in India such as floods and landslides cause huge damage every year. Based on recent data and estimates below, statistical information is being given …
Flood affected areas: Out of a total of 329 million hectares of India, 40 million hectares (more than 12%) are in danger of floods. Every year an average of 75 lakh hectares of land is affected by floods.
Loss of life and property: Every year about 1,600 people lose their lives in floods. The average annual loss in the last 10 years (1996-2005) was Rs 4745 crore, which is more than Rs 1805 crore in the earlier 53 years.
Displacement: Between 2015 and 2024, 3.2 million people in India were displaced by disasters like floods, storms and landslides. In 2024, 4.58 million people alone became homeless.
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Landslide: Every year 200-300 landslides occur in the Himalayan regions. In 2023, more than 100 landslides were recorded in Himachal Pradesh due to heavy rains.
hurricane: Every year an average of 2-3 large cyclones come to coastal areas (Odisha, West Bengal). In 2023, Cyclone Michang influenced Chennai.
Crop and Property: Floods cause a loss of Rs 1805 crore to crops, houses and public facilities every year, which is increasing.
Effect of climate change: In the last 10 years, there were 21.9 crore displacement from the weather related disasters (floods, storms), which is at 2.24 crores annually.
(These figures are estimates taken from the Meteorological Department and other sources, which are based on trends up to 2025. Accurate data may change every year, but the danger is increasing. Caution and preparation is necessary.)
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