FLOOD CONTROL MEASURES IN PUNJAB- A CASE STUDY

Abstract

Flood control refers to all methods used to reduce or prevent the detrimental effects of flood waters. Some of the common techniques used for flood control are installation of rock berms, rock rip-raps, sandbags, maintaining normal slopes with vegetation or application of soil cements on steeper slopes and construction or expansion of drainage channels. Other methods include levees, dikes, dams, retention or detention basins. At present, 97% of the arable land in the Punjab is irrigated, 27% from surface water (canal) irrigation and the remaining 73% met from the ground water resources. Rejuvenation and revamping of canal network is the thrust area of state government. The canal surface water distribution system consists of 14500 km of canals/distributaries covering six major systems in the State namely: Sirhind Canal system, Bhakra Main Line, Bist Doab Canal, Upper Bari Doab Canal, Sirhind feeder and Eastern canal.