List Of 10 Flood-Prone Areas In India

Flood-Prone Areas:  Flood is a recurring natural disaster in India. Thousands of people are devastated by floods here. Large Indian land are annually hit by huge floods due to excessive monsoon rains, swollen rivers, and ever-changing weather patterns. The risks of floods are most in the large river basins and fertile plains, which can be proven brutal for millions of lives and livelihoods annually. The recent August 2025 Uttarkashi cloudburst is a firm reminder of how intense weather events can be how crucial it is to be prepared to mitigate these dangers.

A heavy cloudburst on August 5, 2025, in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand has caused flash floods and landslides in the Dharali and Sukki villages along Gangotri. The resulting flash in the Kheer Ganga river destroyed infrastructure. As per reports, more than 50 hotels and 40-50 homes were washed away or submerged. The shocking photos and videos of entire markets vanishing are making the rounds on the internet. At least four deaths were confirmed, with over 100 reported missing. The Harsil army camp was also destroyed in this life-threatening natural disaster. Reports are that more than nine soldiers are missing. Rescue operations by emergency teams of NDRF and the Indian Air Force are also ongoing.

High-intensity rainfalls like these and flash floods in the Himalayas have been on the rise since the past decade, mainly due to climate change, poor management of rivers, and unplanned development in ecologically sensitive regions. To learn more and be aware, here is a list of the 10 flood-prone areas in India, according to the data by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM).

Which Areas In India Are Most Prone To Flooding?

List Of 10 Flood-Prone Areas In India: 

Brahmaputra Basin:

The Brahmaputra Basin is prone to floods according to past events, location, and frequency of flooding. The area experiences heavy annual rainfall, which causes swollen rivers and silted streams, resulting in massive displacement and property damage.

Ganga Basin:

The Ganga Basin is also one of the flood-prone areas in India. The Ganga and its tributaries overflow seasonally, primarily impacting eastern UP and the northern plains of Bihar.

Kosi River Areas:

The Kosi River area is also enormously susceptible to uncontrolled river course alterations and embankment failures, rendering floods unpredictable and devastating. The place is also referred to as the Sorrow of Bihar. The major reasons for floods here are the constant changes in the river course that cause sudden and destructive floods.

Mahanadi Delta:

In the Mahanadi Delta, low plains and storm surges due to Bay of Bengal cyclones exacerbate conventional flood hazards. This means that cyclonic storms and heavy rainfall frequently inundate the delta, impacting densely populated villages.

Damodar Valley:

Damodar Valley also witnessed destructive floods in the past, caused by torrential rains. Additionally, it is important to know that the dams have assisted in flood situations. However, the dangers persist.

Also Read: UP Weather: Heavy Rains Disrupt Life, Schools Closed; IMD Issues Red Alert In THESE Districts | Forecast

Godavari Basin:

Godavari Basin is also prone to floods due to both river and coastal flooding, particularly during cyclones. Additionally, the new intensive urbanisation enhances damage. Cyclones and heavy rains bring frequent flooding, primarily in Andhra's coastal areas.

Yamuna River Zone:

The Yamuna River Zone is a prone-to-flood area of India, due to urban spread, poor drainage, and monsoon surges, which all come together and cause seasonal urban flooding. Flash floods and drainage clogging are a result of highly urbanised, low-lying zones along the river.

Ghaggar-Sutlej Basin:

Ghaggar-Sutlej Basin faces flash floods due to flat river basins, ruptured embankments, and bad drainage of Punjab and Haryana, which affect agriculture and infrastructure.

Also Read: Uttarkashi Cloudburst Updates: Over 130 Rescued, Several Still Missing As Search Operation On In Uttarakhand's Dharali | 10 Points

Teesta River Basin:

The Teesta River Basin faces Glacial melting, heavy rainfall, and cloudbursts in Sikkim and North Bengal's undeveloped hillsides, which all frequently cause flash floods. Flash floods intensify with glacial melting and cloudbursts in the Eastern Himalayas.

Kerala Coastal Rivers:

Small, swift rivers and heavy rainfall join together to create sudden, frequent floods, striking urban centres and rural areas alike in the Kerala Coastal Rivers. Violent monsoon and hill streams tend to cause ruinous repeat floods, like in 2018.

What Are The Immediate Steps To Take During A Flood?

1. During times of flood, make sure not to walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Also, keep a stick handy to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.

2. Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You might not realise at the moment, but you, along with your vehicle, can be quickly swept away.

Always Keep A Handy Emergency Kit While Visiting Flood-Prone Areas: 

Source: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

Floods are India's most recurring natural disaster, affecting the lives of millions, from river islands in Assam to Himalayan valleys and Kerala's urban landscapes. The tragic incident at Uttarkashi was a reminder for stronger disaster preparedness, climate-resilient infrastructure, and the most sustainable approaches to land-use management for all flood-prone regions. Only early warning and resilient engineering combined with community-based adaptation can reduce the annual tragedy of floods in India.