Odisha: Flood Hazard Atlas

The state of Odisha has come out with a unique flood hazard atlas based on the historic flood inundation data captured through satellite imagery over the period from 2001 to 2018.

All the satellite images from the combined flood layers from 18 years were integrated into flood hazard layer to represent the observed flood-inundated areas with different frequencies. This was then merged with the digital database of the flood layers of Odisha to prepare the Atlas. The atlas will serve as a useful resource of information for policy makers, planners and civil society groups.

Benefits of the Flood Hazard Atlas

The Flood Hazard Atlas prepared by National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Hyderabad will benefit the authorities in the following ways:

• Systematically planning flood control measures.
• Regulating development activities in the floodplain.
• Carrying out relief and rescue operations.
• Planning relief shelters and Health Centres.

Flood Proneness of Odisha

Vast areas of Odisha are inundated when there is flooding in major rivers like the Mahanadi, Brahmani, Baitarani, Subarnarekha and Rushikulya. Further rivers like, the Vamsadhara and Budhabalanga can also cause flash floods due to instant run-off from their hilly catchments.

The entire coastal belt of the state is prone to storm surges, which is usually accompanied by heavy rainfall. As a result, the estuary region is vulnerable to both storm surges and river flooding.