Flood Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment of Chitrakoot District, Uttar Pradesh: An Integrated Geographical, GIS and Remote Sensing Approach

Birendra Kumar Yadav

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i05.89708

Flood Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment of Chitrakoot District, Uttar Pradesh: An Integrated Geographical, GIS and Remote Sensing Approach

Author(s)	Dr. Birendra Kumar Yadav
Country	India
Abstract	Flood is one of the most important hydro-meteorological hazards affecting human settlements, agriculture, infrastructure and regional economies. Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh presents a distinctive case of hydro-climatic vulnerability because it belongs to the drought-prone Bundelkhand region but simultaneously experiences recurrent riverine and flash-flood conditions during intense monsoon rainfall. The present study assesses the spatial characteristics and determinants of flood hazard and vulnerability in Chitrakoot district using an integrated geographical, GIS and remote sensing approach. The analysis incorporates the Digital Elevation Model (DEM), drainage network, physiography, river proximity, historical flood information, satellite-based flood observations and socio-economic exposure. The district's DEM indicates a marked elevation gradient, approximately from 66 m to 451 m, with relatively higher terrain in the southern part and lower terrain towards the northern Yamuna valley. This topographic configuration facilitates rapid surface runoff from elevated southern terrain towards comparatively low-lying riverine areas. The drainage system is dominated by the Yamuna and Mandakini/Paisuni systems along with Baghain, Gunta, Bardaha and smaller tributaries. The Uttar Pradesh Flood Hazard Atlas identifies 5,114 ha of flood-hazard area in Chitrakoot for 1998–2020, of which 4,129 ha (81%) falls in the very-low hazard category and 985 ha (19%) in the low-hazard category. However, the historical classification does not fully represent the potential consequences of extreme rainfall events. The August 2026 flood provides compelling evidence: the Mandakini at Chitrakoot reached a reported new high flood level of 145.60 m on 29 August 2026, approximately 2.95 m above the previous reported high level, while the water level rose by about 7.5 m within six hours. The study concludes that flood risk in Chitrakoot is spatially concentrated around river corridors, low-elevation areas, floodplains, agricultural land, settlements and tourism infrastructure. A shift from conventional relief-oriented flood management towards integrated floodplain regulation, watershed management, GIS-based risk zonation, real-time monitoring and community-based preparedness is therefore essential.
Keywords	Flood Hazard, Flood Vulnerability, Chitrakoot, Mandakini River, GIS, Remote Sensing, DEM, Flood Risk, Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh.
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 5, September-October 2026
Published On	2026-10-17
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i05.89708

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Flood Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment of Chitrakoot District, Uttar Pradesh: An Integrated Geographical, GIS and Remote Sensing Approach

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