Assam Floods | states yet to enforce floodplain zoning law
Assam Floods: Despite the heavy loss of life and property in floods, only three states and one union territory have enacted laws for flood plain zoning aimed at mitigating the damage caused by floods.
Experts have called for its immediate implementation in the country in view of frequent floods due to climate change.
The purpose of floodplain zoning measures is to delineate areas or areas that are likely to be affected by floods of varying intensity, frequency and probability, and to define the types of development permitted in these zones. are to minimize the damage whenever a Assam Floods occurs.
The Model Floodplain Zoning Bill provides for the formation of a Floodplain Zoning Authority by the State Governments, which will have a governing body headed by the Chief Minister.
The Authority is to determine flood plain zones and other measures to keep flood plains free from encroachment.
According to a senior official, now only three states and one union territory have enacted the legislation. These are Manipur, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Even there, demarcation and demarcation of flood plains is yet to be done, the official said.
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, and Odisha, all major flood-prone states, have not taken any legislative initiative regarding floodplain zoning.
“We have asked the states to reduce further construction on flood plains and ensure that there are no further encroachments,” the official told PTI.
Experts have warned that flood plain zoning will have dire consequences if not implemented as soon as possible due to climate change.
Last year, the Jal Shakti Ministry told Parliament that around 2,000 people lost their lives due to cyclonic storms, heavy rains, floods and landslides during 2021-22.
According to data shared by the ministry in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, the highest number of deaths due to cyclonic storms, heavy rains and floods and landslides in 2021-22 was in Maharashtra at 489, followed by Gujarat. and UP, each. In which 162 lives were lost.
