Flood hazard in a basin depends upon the hydrological response of the upstream basin area. The upstream basin area may produce different amounts of run-off for a given rainfall based on its hydrologic response. The present communication shows the importance of drainage network characteristics in understanding the hydrologic response of a basin. The study is carried out through Geomorphic Instantaneous Unit Hydrograph analysis, wherein Horton's morphometric ratios were used to define the drainage network. A floodprone river basin in north Bihar plains has been selected as a study area.

Flood hazard is one of the most severe problems in the Himalayan river basins. Although floods are essentially hydrological phenomenon, the uneven distribution of floods in the river basin highlights the control of geomorphological and geological factors. A proper understanding of these factors is critical for a successful flood management programme. Remote sensing data is of immense value in evaluating the geomorphological and geological controls in flooding. The present paper highlights the control of geomorphology and neotectonics on flood hazard in north Bihar Plains, eastern India.

The Indo-Gangetic plains are drained by several fan and interfan rivers fringing the margin of the outer Himalaya. These fan and interfan river systems are distinctly different from each other in terms of hydrology and sediment transport and generate typical

Recurrent droughts and floods coupled with mass poverty, chronic unemployment and pervasive malnutrition are the major challenges before India. The Union government usually responds by complaining about truant rains and doles out funds in an arbitrary man

Does the concept of interlinking India's rivers hold water? The debate rages on...

Flood Studies in India brings to fore several aspects of this natural disaster that are not yet conventional wisdom in policy circles. The book looks at floods from a variety of expertise areas, such

Radiative effects of anthropogenic changes in atmospheric composition are expected to cause climate changes, in particular an intensification of the global water cycle with a consequent increase in flood risk.

Aerosols could be wrecking havoc with the Earth s water cycle

Human activities are releasing tiny particles (aerosols) into the atmosphere. These human-made aerosols enhance scattering and absorption of solar radiation. They also produce brighter clouds that are less efficient at releasing precipitation. These in turn lead to large reductions in the amount of solar irradiance reaching Earth's surface, a corresponding increase in solar heating of the atmosphere, changes in the atmospheric temperature structure, suppression of rainfall, and less efficient removal of pollutants.

Every year, from December to April, anthropogenic haze spreads over most of the North Indian Ocean, and South and Southeast Asia. The Indian Ocean Experiment (INDOEX) documented this Indo-Asian haze at scales ranging from individual particles to its contribution to the regional climate forcing. This study integrates the multiplatform observations (satellites, aircraft, ships, surface stations, and balloons) with oneand four-dimensional models to derive the regional
aerosol forcing resulting from the direct, the semidirect and the two indirect effects.

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