Abstract:
Records of loss of life and damage caused by floods worldwide show
that these have continued to rise steadily during recent years. Understandably, the
response has been to call for increased efforts to protect life and property. Earthquakes,
cyclones, flooding, droughts, tsunamis are examples of natural hazards. Among these
floods are common. Flooding refers to an overflow of an expanse of water that
submerges land. It is usually due to the volume of water within a body of water, such as
a river or lake, exceeding the total capacity of the body, and as a result some of the
water flows or sits outside of the normal perimeter of the body. It can occur in rivers,
when the strength of the river is so high it flows right out of the river channel, usually at
corners or meanders. Losses of lives, injuries, damage of property, environmental
degradation, etc. are the consequences of flooding. In present research paper an attempt
has been made to analyze the total destruction of property, human and animal loss
during floods in North Karnataka. Floods are threatening number of districts in
Karnataka state and it has become a challenging task to the state. Rainfall during 28th
September 2009 to 4th October 2009 led overflow of the River Krishna, Tunga-Bhadra
and their tributaries. Rainfall up to 377 mm in 24 hours at northern Karnataka was the
highest in 100 years. The entire region received 70% of the Annual Normal Rainfall in a
period of one week. 177% to 924% of the Normal Rainfall in 15 Districts, during this
period. Hence, this paper exhibits detailed analysis of loss during the flood in the state
and also explains relief activities taken in flood-hit areas.
