Top 10 Flood-Prone Regions in India You Should Know About
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Floods are among the most frequent and devastating natural disasters in India, claiming lives and displacing communities every year. From the vast plains of the Ganga to the hilly terrains of the Northeast and the coastal belts of Kerala, many parts of the country remain vulnerable to seasonal deluges. The recent cloudburst in Uttarkashi in August 2025, which led to deadly flash floods and destruction, is a grim reminder of how quickly nature can turn perilous. As climate change accelerates extreme weather events, awareness about flood-prone zones becomes crucial.
Here’s a look at ten major flood-prone regions in India , as identified by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM), and why they remain at risk.
1. Brahmaputra Basin (Assam & Arunachal Pradesh)
This region witnesses intense monsoon rains that cause the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries to swell dangerously. Annual flooding in Assam leads to mass displacement, damage to agriculture, and destruction of property. The silt-heavy river and poor drainage worsen the situation.
2. Ganga Basin (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar & West Bengal)
Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar often suffer from overflowing rivers during monsoons. With the Ganga and its tributaries breaching embankments, densely populated floodplains face the brunt of widespread flooding every year.
3. Kosi River Belt (Bihar & Nepal Border)
Nicknamed the “Sorrow of Bihar,” the Kosi River changes its course frequently, resulting in unpredictable and severe flooding. Embankment failures and unstable river patterns contribute to widespread devastation in this region.
4. Mahanadi Delta (Odisha)
The low-lying Mahanadi delta is highly exposed to cyclonic storms and heavy rains from the Bay of Bengal. Villages in this region often get submerged during monsoon season, severely affecting local livelihoods.
5. Damodar Valley (West Bengal & Jharkhand)
While dams have been constructed to manage flooding, the Damodar River has a history of destructive floods caused by excessive rain. Urban and rural populations remain at risk, especially during intense monsoon spells.
6. Godavari Basin (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana & Maharashtra)
This basin experiences flooding from both river overflow and coastal surges, especially during cyclonic events. Rapid urbanisation has increased the flood damage in cities like Mumbai and coastal Andhra Pradesh.
7. Yamuna River Zone (Delhi, Haryana & Uttar Pradesh)
Heavy rains combined with poor urban drainage lead to seasonal flooding in Delhi and nearby regions. The Yamuna frequently overflows, impacting low-lying urban areas and traffic-heavy zones.
8. Ghaggar-Sutlej Basin (Punjab & Haryana)
The flat terrain and weak drainage systems in this basin make it susceptible to flash floods. Ruptured embankments and sudden surges of water damage crops, roads, and homes every year.
9. Teesta River Region (Sikkim & North Bengal)
Located in the Eastern Himalayas, this region often faces flash floods triggered by glacial melts, heavy rains, and cloudbursts. Rapid development in ecologically fragile zones has increased the vulnerability.
10. Kerala’s Coastal Rivers (Kerala)
Kerala's small rivers flowing from the Western Ghats into the Arabian Sea carry heavy monsoon loads. Combined with urban congestion and unplanned development, cities like Kochi face recurring floods, as witnessed in the catastrophic floods of 2018.
What to Do During a Flood Emergency
Avoid walking through moving water. Even six inches of fast-flowing water can knock a person down.
Never drive into flooded areas. Abandon your vehicle and seek higher ground if water levels rise suddenly.
Stay updated. Listen to emergency broadcasts and alerts from local authorities.
Essentials to Carry in Flood-Prone Areas
India’s diverse geography makes several regions prone to seasonal flooding, which is only becoming more severe with climate change and rapid, unplanned development. The tragedy in Uttarkashi serves as a stark warning. As we move forward, building climate-resilient infrastructure, strengthening early warning systems, and encouraging local community awareness will be key to reducing the impact of floods and saving lives.
Here’s a look at ten major flood-prone regions in India , as identified by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM), and why they remain at risk.
1. Brahmaputra Basin (Assam & Arunachal Pradesh)
This region witnesses intense monsoon rains that cause the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries to swell dangerously. Annual flooding in Assam leads to mass displacement, damage to agriculture, and destruction of property. The silt-heavy river and poor drainage worsen the situation.2. Ganga Basin (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar & West Bengal)
Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar often suffer from overflowing rivers during monsoons. With the Ganga and its tributaries breaching embankments, densely populated floodplains face the brunt of widespread flooding every year. 3. Kosi River Belt (Bihar & Nepal Border)
Nicknamed the “Sorrow of Bihar,” the Kosi River changes its course frequently, resulting in unpredictable and severe flooding. Embankment failures and unstable river patterns contribute to widespread devastation in this region.4. Mahanadi Delta (Odisha)
The low-lying Mahanadi delta is highly exposed to cyclonic storms and heavy rains from the Bay of Bengal. Villages in this region often get submerged during monsoon season, severely affecting local livelihoods. 5. Damodar Valley (West Bengal & Jharkhand)
While dams have been constructed to manage flooding, the Damodar River has a history of destructive floods caused by excessive rain. Urban and rural populations remain at risk, especially during intense monsoon spells. 6. Godavari Basin (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana & Maharashtra)
This basin experiences flooding from both river overflow and coastal surges, especially during cyclonic events. Rapid urbanisation has increased the flood damage in cities like Mumbai and coastal Andhra Pradesh. 7. Yamuna River Zone (Delhi, Haryana & Uttar Pradesh)
Heavy rains combined with poor urban drainage lead to seasonal flooding in Delhi and nearby regions. The Yamuna frequently overflows, impacting low-lying urban areas and traffic-heavy zones.8. Ghaggar-Sutlej Basin (Punjab & Haryana)
The flat terrain and weak drainage systems in this basin make it susceptible to flash floods. Ruptured embankments and sudden surges of water damage crops, roads, and homes every year. 9. Teesta River Region (Sikkim & North Bengal)
Located in the Eastern Himalayas, this region often faces flash floods triggered by glacial melts, heavy rains, and cloudbursts. Rapid development in ecologically fragile zones has increased the vulnerability. 10. Kerala’s Coastal Rivers (Kerala)
Kerala's small rivers flowing from the Western Ghats into the Arabian Sea carry heavy monsoon loads. Combined with urban congestion and unplanned development, cities like Kochi face recurring floods, as witnessed in the catastrophic floods of 2018. What to Do During a Flood Emergency
Avoid walking through moving water. Even six inches of fast-flowing water can knock a person down.
Never drive into flooded areas. Abandon your vehicle and seek higher ground if water levels rise suddenly.
Stay updated. Listen to emergency broadcasts and alerts from local authorities.
Essentials to Carry in Flood-Prone Areas
- Torch and extra batteries
- Battery-powered radio
- First aid kit and essential medications
- Packaged food and clean drinking water
- Waterproof matches and candles
- Chlorine tablets for water purification
- Copies of ID documents (Aadhaar, voter ID, ration card)
- Emergency cash
- Sturdy shoes and thick ropes
India’s diverse geography makes several regions prone to seasonal flooding, which is only becoming more severe with climate change and rapid, unplanned development. The tragedy in Uttarkashi serves as a stark warning. As we move forward, building climate-resilient infrastructure, strengthening early warning systems, and encouraging local community awareness will be key to reducing the impact of floods and saving lives.
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