Flood study of the Himalayan tributaries of the Ganga river

Abstract

A flood study of the Himalayan rivers has been attempted on the basis of gauge/discharge data from 27 sites on major tributaries of the Ganga between 1986 and 1999. This study has shown that the Ghaghra, Gandak, and Kosi are the most important tributaries of the Ganga and their flood waters should be harnessed for developmental purposes to save the Indo-Gangetic plains from the recurrence of yearly floods. It was also found that some of the sites on these rivers have recorded floods more than 100 to 150 times during the 14-year period.