Floods Triggered by Rising Narmada River in MP | 07 Jul 2025

Why in News? 

Heavy rains in Madhya Pradesh have resulted in the Narmada River overflowing, causing floods in several districts, particularly Shahdol.  

• The rising water levels have prompted authorities to open the gates of the Bargi Dam in Jabalpur, raising concerns of further flooding.

Key Points 

• Narmada River 
  • About:  
    • The Narmada is a major westward-flowing river in central India, traversing the states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. 
    • The river is fed by 41 tributaries and historically served as a trade and cultural route between the Arabian Sea and the Ganges valley. 
  • Source and Course of the River: 
    • The Narmada originates from the Maikala Range in eastern Madhya Pradesh at an elevation of 3,500 feet (1,080 m) near the Chhattisgarh border. 
    • It flows through Mandla, Jabalpur, and the Marble Rocks Gorge, entering a rift valley between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges. 
    • The river crosses into Gujarat before draining into the Gulf of Khambhat through a 13-mile (21 km) wide estuary. 
    • The Narmada drains the northern slopes of the Satpura Range and flows through varied terrains, including the Dhuandhar Falls near Jabalpur. 
  • Water Resource Development: 
    • The Narmada is crucial for hydropower generation, irrigation, and drinking water supply across multiple states. 
    • Major dams on the river include Sardar Sarovar Dam (Gujarat), Indira Sagar Dam (Punasa, MP), Omkareshwar Dam, Bargi Dam, and Maheshwar Dam. 
  • Narmada Water Dispute: 
    • Since the 1960s, several states have contested over the river’s water sharing and dam construction. 
    • In 1969, a tribunal was established to resolve disputes. The Narmada Control Authority (NCA), formed in 1980, implements the tribunal's decisions with representatives from Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and the Union government. 
  • Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA): 
    • The Sardar Sarovar Dam faced strong opposition due to large-scale displacement. 
    • The NBA, led by Medha Patkar and Baba Amte, demanded proper rehabilitation for affected communities. 
    • Their efforts led to delays, World Bank withdrawal in 1993, and intervention by the Supreme Court. 
    • In 2000, the court allowed the dam’s completion in phases, conditional on the resettlement of displaced populations. 

• Causes of Floods in India:  

• Solutions for Flood Management in India: 
  • Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) Programme: 
    • The ILR programme aims to divert surplus water from flood-prone rivers to water-deficient regions, thereby balancing water availability. 
    • Example: The Ken-Betwa link project, a flagship initiative, is vital for water security and socio-economic upliftment in the Bundelkhand region. 
  • Reservoir Construction: 
    • Reservoirs store excess water during high rainfall and release it gradually to control downstream flood peaks. 
    • Example: The Bhakra Nangal Dam on the Sutlej River helps in flood moderation, power generation, and irrigation. 
  • Coastal Flood Management: 
    • Mangroves act as natural barriers against storm surges and coastal flooding, as witnessed during the 2004 Tsunami. 
    • The MISHTI initiative, launched in the Union Budget 2023–24, promotes large-scale mangrove plantations along India’s coasts. 
  • Flood Forecasting and Early Warning Systems: 
    • These systems use meteorological and hydrological data to predict floods and issue timely alerts. 
    • Example: The Central Water Commission (CWC) runs a nationwide network of forecasting stations issuing daily flood bulletins. 
  • Floodplain Zoning: 
    • This involves regulating land use in flood-prone zones to reduce vulnerability and preserve natural flood absorbers like wetlands. 
    • Example: NDMA’s floodplain zoning guidelines categorize land into four risk-based zones—prohibited, restricted, regulated, and free. 
  • Flood Insurance Schemes: 
    • Flood insurance provides compensation for losses in exchange for a premium, encouraging risk mitigation among vulnerable populations. 
    • Example: The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) covers crop losses due to floods and other natural calamities.