Strategies to Improve Flood Resilience in the Kosi River Basin of Northern Bihar

The Kosi River basin is one of the most flood-prone regions in India located in northern Bihar. Frequent shifting of the river course, high siltation, and its transboundary condition all contribute to the difficulty of managing flood risk. This research aims to devise a strategy for increasing flood resilience in Supaul District, as it has been suffering from repeated floods causing high socio-economic loss. The insufficient infrastructure and basic services also contribute to the vulnerability of local communities, making the management of floods an ongoing issue. Even after 50 years of undertaking flood control measures ranging from embankments and early warning systems to transboundary cooperation, disastrous flooding remains a recurring phenomenon. Community-led efforts show that communities still lack the tools, knowledge, and infrastructure to address flood risks. This study has examined structural and non-structural measures for flooding, which include floodplain management, flood hazard zoning, and flood forecasting systems. It also evaluates the effectiveness of flood management policies adopted by the Government of India. A primary focus of this study is an infrastructure gap analysis of six flood-prone blocks partially or fully located within the embankment, identifying deficiencies in flood protection structures. The study also leverages flood vulnerability mapping through geospatial analysis and field surveys carried out in the 2024 monsoon season in Supaul District.