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Majuli the greatest inhabited riverine island in the world is situated in the northern part of Jorhat District, Assam. The area lies between 26⁰ 45^/ N to 27⁰ 12^/ N Latitude and 93⁰ 39^/ E to 94⁰ 35^/ E longitude. The total area of the island is 1256 sq. Km. According to 2011 census it has a population of 167,304 consisting of 85,566 males and 81,738 femels, their ratio being 955: 1000.

The main objectives of the study—

i. To study the cause and effect of the flood.

ii. To study the flood control measures adopted by the concerning Deptt.

iii. To study the erosional problems of the majuli island.

Flood is a natural phenomenon. Most of the river valley of the world are more or less affected and damage by flood and erosion. Such a condition different scholars, scientist and research scholars are interested for better understanding and management of such problems for the wellbeing of the society. Flood events as well as their studies and controls have observed by various countries like China, Egypt, India, Turkey etc. In this research the effect of flood and erosion on flood plain people have also been widely studied. An attempt has been made here to review the literatures on flood and erosion problems, management and its mitigation.

1. Colman, E.A, (1953): His contribution is worth mentionable in the field of floodplain management. His work is prominent relating to the flood plain management and research.

2. Willy,G.R,(1953): His contribution in the field of flood and its associated problems is very specific one. Perhaps he was the path finder regarding the study of flood from the view point of historical perspective.

3. Murphy,P.C, (1958) : He has given importance for the development of new methodology for the assessment of floods and its related problems from the sociological point of view on the one hand and the impact of floods on the people along with human responses on the other.

4. Coleman,J.M,(1969) has worked on the  Brahmaputra river from the geological point of view. He has studied well on channel processes and sedimentation of the river Brahmaputra. His work was significant to know the geomorphic characteristics of the river Brahmaputra.

5. Douglas, I, (1973) has worked very significant as he studies on floods as social problem from the view point of behavioral geography and psychology relating to human perspective.

6. Goswami, D.C, (1985) He is known for his specific condition relating to different types of fluvial processes. Most of his works are associated with floodplain of the river Brahmaputra.

7. Nath, D, (1990): He has put forwarded an account of the origin of Majuli . He has explained the socio-economic changes that have been coming gradually to the island.

8. Saikia, N. (1993) has given a geographical interpretation of Majuli in his Ph.D. thesis entitled “ Majuli: Geographic study of its problems and prospects”. He highlighted the impact of flood on the people of Majuli.

9. Kar, M. (1995) has made a well discussion on flood hazards in his Ph.D. work entitled “Flood Hazards in Nagaon and Marigaon Districts of Assam: A Geographical Perspective”. Here he attempts to formulate an appropriate strategy for flood management.

10. Gogoi, B. (1999): In his research work on “Impact of flood in Human occupancies in Sadia Region, Assam”. In his studies he tried to analyses the environment affected by flood and erosion of Sadia.

11. Bhattacharjee,N.(2009): In his Ph.D. work entitled “Flood and Bank Erosion problems in Darrang District , Assam: A Fluvio-Geomophological study” has observed the flood problem of Darrang district seems to be simple apparently the causes, processes involved and resultant landforms.

12. Nath, D. (2009) has written a book entitled “The Majuli island: Society, Economy and Culture”. It is indeed a full length monograph on the fascinating Majuli that happens to be a pride of North East and the entire country.

13. Nath, B.K.(2015): In his Ph. D. work entitled “ Effects of Flood and Erosion on Socio-Culture and Economic conditions of the people of Majuli sub-division, Jorhat District, Assam”

On the basis of above review of literature it is revealed that there is no similar work has been done so far as the present one relating to Majuli. Therefore, present study is connected not only very singular in nature but also specific one. It is still explored in the field of effects of flood and erosion on the people of Majuli and how to mitigate these problems by the people of Majuli.

Significance of the Study:

The present study is assumed to be significant from the following point of view:

The ferocious Brahmaputra criss-crosses the island creating terror not only in the heart of the outsiders, but also among the local inhabitats. There is no man in Majuli who does not pay homage and salutation to the great river when over flowing flood submerges its banks, villages and high chapories creating the scenery of a foggy sea where water touches the extreme end of the horizon. Such an area like Majuli has now become more essential as its studies the area in detail and clearly succeeds in finding out the cause and effect of flood and its mitigation. However, as we know, no systematic spatio-temporal analysis of its flood and mitigation and also associated problems has been made. The proposed study is expected to divulge many of the hitherto unknown facts for effective planning and development of the Majuli Island.

The present study is done by both inductive and deductive methods. In order to complete, the paper the following methodology has been adopted.

In the first stage, the primary information’s are collected from the flood victims of majuli through household survey using schedules and questionnaires. In the second stage, concerning information’s are collected from END office, Circle office and office of the Brahmaputra Board, Kamalabari, Majuli. In the third stage, different journals and reference books are taken in to account for necessary information.

The through study has been made on the cause and effect of flood and mitigates the same disaster. Besides, an attempt has also been made to mitigation the disaster and flood control planning and plausible remedies are suggested. 

Causes of Flood:-  

Floods are caused by a number of natural factors as well as anthropogenic activities. The natural factors causing floods in Majuli include:

i. Prolonged heavy rainfall in the upper stage of the r Brahmaputra River.

ii. Meandering causes of the river Brahmaputra, Suvansiri, and Lohit.

iii. Extensive flood plains.

iv. Break in slope in the long profiles of the rivers.

v. Blocking of river flows.

vi. Nature of river valleys and channels.

Anthropogenic activities include:

i. Channel manipulation through diversion of river course,

ii. Construction of bridges, barrages and reservoirs,

iii. Agricultural practice,

iv. Deforestation in the upper stage of the rivers,

v. Land use changes.

Flood Control Measures:-

Most of our flood control works aim at minimising the damage caused by floods and protecting as large an area as possible against floods as economically justifiable.

Flood control measures include:

i. To delay the run off to the rivers,

ii. To hasten the discharge of water,

iii. To reduce the volume of water,

iv. To divert the flow of water ,

v. To reduce the impact of floods and

vi. To forewarn the occurrence of floods.

Major Findings:

Flood is the only natural disaster which affect  the socio-economic development in the Majuli. Every year flood damages life and property of the region. During rainy season river Brahmaputra, Suvansiri, and Lohit inundates vast areas of Majuli. The erosional statistics during 1969-2007 was as follows-

i. Erosional statistics during the years 1969-2007

Table No. -1

Rivers	Eroded villages	Eroded area in sq. Km.
Brahmaputra	Salmora, Besamora Mising	0.75
	Kaniajan, Botiamari	0.75
	Sumoimari, Dakhinpat	7.45
	Birinabari, Sorapar              Birinabari, Sorapar	8.75
	Ahataguri	28.40
Suvansiri	Kumarbari	1.50
	Chitadar chapori-1	0.75
	Chitadar chapori-2	0.75
	Paschim barbari	0.60
	Kaibarta gaon	0.42

Grand Total 50.02  

Source:  ‘Majuli’(ed) P.K. Mahanta,

Table No.-2

Mauza wise affected villages -2007

Mauza	Number of villages		Partial eroded villages	Total eroded villages
	Surveyed	Non surveyed
Kamalabari	92	13	12	18
Salmora	10	5	2	4
Ahataguri	37	9	2	35
Total	139	27	16	47

Source: Circle office, Kamalabari, Majuli.

i. Due to poor maintenance by Brahmaputra Board, total 104. 36 km. E and D dykes including 5.45 km dewal bandh have now going to be eroded.

ii. The Brahmaputra river channel at Bengenaati is now in dangerous position.

iii. Yet a large number of flood victims are live on the road due to lack of govt. rehabilitation policies.

iv. Poor sanitation and drinking water is a common problem during flood.

v. Relief system during flood also not properly maintained.

vi. Lower suvansiri hydral project also a havoc for near future.

vii. During the consecutive flood in 1997 and 1998 the main PWD roads viz. Badati-Salmara and Kamalabari-haladhibari, have been damaged severely. This is also repeated in the year 2008 and creat a tragic moment for the people of Majuli.

viii. During the year 2008, washout 19 families and 8 persons died in flood.

ix. Govt. should sanctioned sufficient fund for the protection of Majuli.

x.  It is expected that ‘UNESCO’ declared Majuli as a Cultural Heritage Site.

Prepardness, Mitigation and Management of Flood:

Reduction in impact of disaster on the victims is the end result of preparedness under capacity building programmes, organisational as well as training programmes are essential. These can be achieved by:

i. Preparing Task Force and assigning them special responsibility.

ii. Taking expert service in training volunteers on first aid, search and rescue.

iii. Taking support of District and local administration in keeping food stock and other basic amenities before the flood season.

iv. Preparing a clear plan reaching to the most vulnerable.

v. Discussing with the govt. as regards their counter disaster mitigation plan.

vi. Proper preparation for a advance action before the season, not before the disaster.

Mitigation is the cornerstone of emergency management. It is the ongoing effort to lessen the impact disasters have on people’s lives and property through damage prevention. Some of the flood mitigation policies are-

i. Active exchange of views between planners, engineers Construction agencies and NGO’s.

ii. Over bank, splitting shall be avoided by constructing stone  embankment in the vulnerable reaches and effort shall be made to avoid breaches in the embankment and other measures.

iii. Drainage system to be improved and anti-erosion measures shall be adopted.

iv. Flow channel to be improved.

v. Disaster relief, flood fighting and public health measures.

vi. Paddy and other crops, which can stand flooding be developed.

vii. Immediate movement of people from flood prone areas.

Disaster management involves a spectrum of activities designed to maintain control over disaster and emergency  situations and to provide a framework for helping persons at risk to avoid or remove from the impact of disaster. Disaster situations can be easily divided in to three distinct phases with regard to time. They are-

i. Pre-disaster phase

ii. Actual disaster occurrence

iii. Post-disaster phas

A disaster management programme may be divided in to the following phases (Anonymous-1998).

i. Pre-disaster planning phase

ii. Disaster preparedness or early warning phase.

iii. Monitoring phase

iv. Emergency response or damage assessment phase.

v. Recovery

Suggestions And Concluding Remarks:

An in-depth study of the natural disaster, Flood and its mitigation in Majuli island through the inductive, empirical method ultimately leads the researcher to conclude the work with the following suggestions-

i. Strengthening the Embrankments surrounding the Island.

ii. Erosion should be protected through constructing stone spar in the vulnerable areas.

iii. Flood forecasting system should be modernised to minimise the damage.

iv.   Implementation of information technology like Remote sensing and Geographical Information system (GIS) for monitoring the flood disaster in Majuli.

v. Flood plain zoning should be adopted to reducing damage.

vi. High platform should be constructed in the sensitive areas for shelter during flood.

vii. Food stock should be available during flood season.

viii. Rehabilition of the flood victims should be provided.

Finally, it is expected that the present study will help the planners and concerning departments for proper planning of the Island as it gives background knowledge of the flood in Majuli. It may be mention here that due to limitation of time and non-availability of data, the study has limitations and therefore, it leaves scope for future improvement.

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2. Gautam. A; Environmental Geography, Sharda pustak Bhawan, 2007, Allahabad.

3. Husain. A; Natural Disaster, Sumit Enterprise, 2006, New Delhi.

4. Anand. R; Jana N.C.; Sing. S; (ed) Disaster Management and Sustainable Development, Emerging Issue and Concerns, Pentagon press, 2009, New Delhi.

5. Jain.A.K; A Practical Guide to Disaster Management , Pragun Publication, 2008, New Delhi.

6. Saikia. P; Socio-Economic Structure of Majuli Development Block (A Geographical Analysis), Unpublished, M.Phil Dissertation, VMU, 2008, Tamilnadu.

7. Mahanta. P; (ed.) Majuli, Grantha Sanskriti, 2008, A.T. Road, Jorhat.