3. The Punjab Haryana Flood Plain

This area falls under the scanty rainfall recording areas of India. Despite low rainfall, Punjab and Haryana are adversely affected by floods because of the inadequate surface drainage. In Punjab and Haryana, the rainfall water is waterlogged. Consequently, the ill drained areas are inundated. The rivers, like Satluj, Beas, Ghaggar, and Markanda record floods almost annually. The main reasons of floods in Punjab and Haryana are: (i) deforestation in the Lower Himalayas and the Siwalik, (ii) increase in soil erosion in the upper reaches of the rivers leading to silting of river beds, (iii) construction of structures in the Bet (Khadar) areas of the rivers, (iv) unscientific land use, cropping patterns and rotation of crops, and (v) obstruction of natural drainage by the construction of roads, railways and human establishments.

Floods are frequent in the Ghaggar plain of Punjab, Haryana and also Rajasthan. The Ghaggar river is seasonal in character. Its course disappears in the sand- dunes of Rajasthan after crossing Punjab and Haryana.

In the Valley of Kashmir, floods are caused by thejhelum river. Tawi river is the main cause of floods in Jammu. In 2004, the release of huge quantity of water in Satluj river from the Rakas Lake threatened many areas of Himachal Pradesh.