CONFERENCE / REACT-2024

Floods, which are water-driven natural disasters, have catastrophic consequences. They momentarily flood previously dry areas and wreak enormous devastation, including loss of life, property destruction, and infrastructure damage. Between June 1st and August 19th, 2018, Kerala had an exceptional amount of rainfall which resulted in severe flooding. Chalakudy, a locality profoundly impacted by the surging Chalakudy River, was one of the areas most severely damaged. The disaster led to a devastating loss of 433 lives throughout Kerala, with Chalakudy alone experiencing more than 100 deaths. The effect on Chalakudy was significant. The flooding engulfed residential neighborhoods, agricultural regions, and crucial infrastructure, causing disruption to transportation networks and hindering rescue operations. Additionally, Chalakudy saw a significant economic impact, with the agricultural sector incurring losses amounting to more than $50 million USD. In addition, vital infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings suffered significant damage, exacerbating the difficulties experienced by the afflicted populations. These floods were not individual occurrences, but rather a component of a more extensive predicament in Kerala. Over 800,000 individuals were forced to leave their homes, and the region suffered infrastructure damages amounting to nearly $3 billion USD. Given the severity of this calamitous incident, it is imperative to enhance flood management methods and disaster preparedness measures in Chalakudy without delay. This work seeks to enhance these endeavors by utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) methodologies to detect flood-prone regions and provide accurate flood inundation maps for Chalakudy Tehsil. By gaining a deeper comprehension of flooding phenomena and employing ArcGIS's unit hydrograph method for predictive modeling, we can effectively reduce risks and boost disaster preparedness planning in the region.