GS Paper III

News Excerpt:

Recently, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister has approved the continuation of “Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP).

About FMBAP scheme:

• It has a total outlay of Rs. 4,100 crore for a period of 5 years from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
• It is a centrally sponsored scheme with the following two components:
• Flood Management Programme (FMP): Under this component of FMBAP, with an outlay of Rs. 2940 crore, central assistance will be provided to State Governments for taking up critical works related to flood control, anti-erosion, drainage development and anti-sea erosion, etc. The pattern of funding to be followed:
• 90% (Centre): 10% (State) for Special Category States (8 North-Eastern States and Hilly States of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and UT of Jammu & Kashmir) and 
• 60% (Centre):40% (State) for General Category States.
• River Management and Border Areas (RMBA): Under this component of FMBAP with an outlay of Rs. 1160 crore, flood control and anti-erosion work on common border rivers with neighbouring countries, including hydrological observations and flood forecasting, and investigation & pre-construction activities of joint water resources projects (with neighbouring countries) on common border rivers will be taken up with 100% central assistance.
• The works implemented under the RMBA component also protect important installations of security agencies, border outposts, etc., along the border rivers from flood and erosion.
• The FMBAP Scheme has the provision of incentivizing the states that implement flood plain zoning, which is recognized as an effective non-structural measure for flood management.

Flood management practices evolved in the country:

• Although the primary responsibility of flood management rests with the State Governments, the Union Government has decided that it is desirable to supplement the efforts of the State Governments in flood management, encouraging the promotion & adoption of modern technology and innovative materials/approaches. 
• Central assistance becomes relevant as the increased incidence of extreme events has been witnessed during the last few years in view of the likely impact of climate change. The situation may further aggravate in times to come, exacerbating the problem of floods in terms of extent, intensity and frequency.  

Flood Prone Areas in India:

• National Flood Commission (RBA) -1980 assessed the total flood-prone area in the country as 40 m.ha, which included the unprotected flood area of 33.516 m ha and the balance as a protected area. 
  • Subsequently, the Working Groups on Flood Management for X and XI Plans assessed the flood-prone area in the country as 45.64 m ha.

Existing Flood Management Mechanisms in India: 

• In India, a two-tier system of flood management exists.
• State Level Mechanism - The State Level Mechanism includes the Water Resources Departments, State Technical Advisory Committee and Flood Control Board. In some States, the Irrigation Departments and Public Works Departments look after flood matters.
• Central Government Mechanism – The Union Government has set up the following organizations and various expert committees to enable the State Governments to address flood problems in a comprehensive manner:
  • Central Water Commission
  • Brahmaputra Board; Ganga Flood Control Commission; Farakka Barrage Project Authority
  • National Disaster Management Authority.

General flood management measures practised in India:

• Engineering / Structural Measures:
  • An artificially created reservoir behind a dam across a river.
  • A natural depression suitably improved and regulated, if necessary.
  • By diversion of a part of the peak flow to another river or basin, where such diversion would not cause appreciable damage.
  • By constructing a parallel channel bye passing a particular town/reach of the river prone to flooding.
  • Embankments that artificially raise the effective river bank and thereby prevent spilling.
  • Channel and drainage improvement works, which artificially reduce the flood water level so as to keep the same, confined within the river banks and thus prevent spilling.
• Administrative / Non-Structural Measures:
  • Facilitating timely evacuation of the people and shifting of their movable property to safer grounds by having advance warning of incoming flood, i.e. flood forecasting, flood warning in case of threatened inundation.
  • Discouraging the creation of valuable assets/settlement of the people in the areas subject to frequent flooding, i.e. enforcing flood plain zoning regulation.

Conclusion:

The approval of the Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP) reflects the government's commitment to enhancing flood management efforts across states. With a focus on modern technology, innovative approaches, and non-structural measures like floodplain zoning, the scheme aims to mitigate the impact of floods, especially in the face of climate change.