Rapid flash flood calamity in Chamoli, Uttarakhand region during Feb 2021: an analysis based on satellite data

Sunita Verma, Ajay Sharma, Pramod Kumar Yadava, Priyanshu Gupta, Janhavi Singh and Swagata Payra ()
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Sunita Verma: Banaras Hindu University
Ajay Sharma: Banaras Hindu University
Pramod Kumar Yadava: Banaras Hindu University
Priyanshu Gupta: Banaras Hindu University
Janhavi Singh: Banaras Hindu University
Swagata Payra: Birla Institute of Technology Mesra

Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, 2022, vol. 112, issue 2, No 16, 1379-1393

Abstract: Abstract The present study investigates the accelerating factors for extreme flash flood at Chamoli district of Uttarakhand on 7 February 2021. The Sentinel-2A and 2B satellite data have been used to depict changes in pre-flood (16th of January) i.e., 5 years of 2016 to 2021 to post-flood (10 February, 2021) situation over the study domain. Vegetation and snow-cover from 2016 to 2021 has been obtained using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) classification over study area. Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) is used to extract the pre and post-flood water pixels for flood inundation mapping. The Cartosat-1 digital elevation model (DEM) product is used for drainage pattern and stream order mapping. Correlation between the meteorological parameters such as snowfall, wind speed and wind direction of Nanda Gunti peak during the time of flood with the flood event is analysed. The overall results indicate heavy snowfall (4.22 mm/day) over Nanda Gunti hills followed by high wind speed (23 km/hr.) that might have led to initiation of avalanche/landslide, giving rise to massive flash flood and eroded approximately 0.0263 km3 volume of landmass along with snow cover. Further, the 5 years NDVI analysis shows decrease in vegetation near Rishiganga and Alaknanda, a higher order river streams, is also crucial factor for flood intensification that caused massive destruction within the study area. The work highlights the importance of mapping of intense events and underline factors to reduce the impact and losses in case of future events.

Keywords: Flash flood; NDVI; NDWI; Drainage mapping; Flood inundation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11069-022-05232-y

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