India: Flood Management - Damodar River Basin

Information is provided about the approach and experience in flood management in the Damodar river basin of India. This is achieved through a scheme for the integrated operation of a number of reservoirs on that river and on its tributaries for the purpose of irrigation, hydropower generation and flood protection. Of particular interest is the recent change in policy towards a multi-disciplinary approach for the planning and management of water resources in general, and the recognition in particular of the need for increased emphasis on non-structural measures for the management of floods, to be achieved through a shift of strategy towards efficient management of flood plains, flood proofing and forecasting, and flood insurance. This is complemented with information on the main functions of the "Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee (DVRRC)"; and the description of the flood forecasting network for the Damodar river basin. The study also contains some practices/lessons with potential to be transferred/applied to other regions.