Abstract
The Ganga Plain is one of the most densely populated regions of the world due to its fertile soil and availability of water. The rivers of this plain are the lifeline for millions of people of this vast alluvial plain. All rivers of this plain are characterized by narrow channel confined within wide valley. Continuously increasing pressure of population on this plain has led to the intensification of settlement even into the valley of the river. This unplanned expansion has enhanced the damage due to flooding during high-discharge period and lateral erosion during low-discharge period. Flooding and lateral erosion are identified as fluvial hazards in the Ghaghara River area. Extensive studies have been carried out on flooding, but not much attention has been paid to the phenomenon of lateral erosion. However, it has been observed that lateral erosion is an independent fluvial hazard that operates during low-discharge period. Low degree of compaction due to the presence of sandy and silty facies in the river valley deposits, mass movement, palaeocurrent pattern, and fractures initiates and enhances the lateral erosion. The present paper deals with the fluvial hazards in the Ghaghara River area.
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Acknowledgments
The financial assistance (Project No. SR/S4/ES-21/Ganga Plain/P3) received from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi, India is highly acknowledged. Higher Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh is thanks for financial assistance in the form of Centre of Excellence. Prof. N.L. Chhabra, Head, Centre of Advanced Study in Geology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, India is thankful for providing the working facilities. Prof. I.B. Singh and Prof. A.K. Jauhri are thanked for the suggestions. Mr. Vikram Bhardwaj is thanked for help in preparing figures. People of Ropan Chhapra village are thanked for providing logistic support during the field work.
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Singh, D.S., Awasthi, A. Natural hazards in the Ghaghara River area, Ganga Plain, India. Nat Hazards 57, 213–225 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-010-9605-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-010-9605-7