Flood impact assessment using field investigations and post-flood survey

Kerala, located in the southwest part of India experienced heavy flooding during 2018. A post-flood field survey was conducted by National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Chennai to study the flood. The survey was conducted using in-situ measurement and fed to NCCR-Geo surveyor app. The app is indigenous and transfers the data including flood depth and geo-tagged photos to NCCR server. The survey also focuses on the peoples experience at the time of flood of central and southern parts of Kerala with a total of 206 respondent data. The district-wise survey results are presented. From the study, it was concluded that Pampa River basin and Periyar River basin were severely affected and respondents reported sudden rise in the water levels in locations near to the river banks. Major river banks of the state overflowed and destroyed houses, roads, etc. The field survey points towards long term solutions including advanced flood warning system to create an effective mitigation and preparedness plan to reduce the risk from the fury of future floods and for a resilient community.