NATURAL HAZARDS AND DISASTERS

because of the pattern of the monsoon and partly because of blocking of most of the experiences flooding during November- January due to the retreating monsoon. Frequent inundation of agricultural land and human settlement, particularly in Assam, West (flooding rivers), coastal areas of Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat (cyclone) and consequences on the national economy and society. Floods do not only destroy valuable crops every year but these also damage physical infrastructure such as roads, rails, bridges and human settlements. Millions of people are rendered homeless and are also washed down along with their cattle in the floods.

Spread of diseases like cholera, gastro-enteritis, hepatitis and other water-borne diseases spread in the flood-affected areas. However, floods also make a few positive contributions. Every year, floods deposit fertile silt over agricultural fields which is good for the crops. Majuli (Assam), the largest riverine island in the world, is the best example of good paddy crops after the annual floods in Brahmaputra.

But these are insignificant benefits in comparison to the grave losses. The Government of India as well as the state governments are well aware of the menace