Executive Summary:
This document is the response to Starred Question No. 161 in Lok Sabha concerning flood control in Kerala, answered on July 31, 2025. It details the assessment of increased monsoon floods in Kerala, the flood control infrastructure, central projects, and financial assistance provided. The document includes data on flood damage from 2018 to 2022 and information on central assistance schemes for flood management.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Flood Assessment in Kerala:**
* Kerala has experienced increased monsoon floods, particularly in low-lying western areas of Kottayam district.
* Flooding in eastern Kottayam during 2018-2021 was due to landslides and silting of rivers.
* The Meenachil, Muvattupuzha, and Manimala rivers contribute to flooding in Kottayam district.
* Total flood-affected area in Kerala is assessed at 0.253 Mha, with 0.346 Mha protected by flood management steps (1986-2022).
* District-wise flood damage data is not centrally maintained; state-wise data is compiled by the Central Water Commission (CWC).
* **Central Government Support:**
* The Union Government supplements state efforts with technical guidance and financial assistance for flood management.
* The Flood Management Programme (FMP) during XI-XII Plans provided central assistance for flood control works.
* FMP continues as a component of the Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP) during 2021-22 to 2025-26.
* Four Flood Management Schemes in Kerala, costing Rs 279.74 Crore, were included under FMP/FMBAP during the XI Plan.
* Central assistance of Rs 137.95 Crore has been released for these schemes.
* **Flood Forecasting:**
* Central Water Commission (CWC) issues short-range flood forecasts (up to 24 hrs lead time).
* CWC has developed a basin-wise flood forecasting model for 7-day advance flood forecast advisories.
* CWC maintains 6 Flood Forecasting stations in Kerala.
* **Disaster Management and Financial Assistance:**
* Disaster management is primarily the responsibility of the State Government.
* The Central Government supplements State efforts with logistics and financial support.
* States provide relief assistance from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
* Additional assistance is provided from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for severe disasters, based on assessment by an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT).
* Central share of SDRF released to Kerala from 2020-21 to 2024-25 totaled Rs 1335.20 Crore.
* **Flood Damage Data (2018-2022):**
* Provides a table outlining the area affected, population affected, crop damage, damage to houses and public utilities, and loss of human lives due to floods in Kerala from 2018 to 2022.
Impact Analysis
State Government of Kerala:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing flood management and anti-erosion schemes, assessing damages, and providing relief. Receives financial and technical assistance from the Union Government.
* Action Required: Continue to formulate and implement flood management schemes, utilize funds from SDRF and NDRF effectively, and coordinate with CWC for flood forecasting.
Central Water Commission (CWC):
* Impact: Responsible for flood forecasting and providing technical guidance to State Governments.
* Action Required: Maintain and improve flood forecasting models, issue timely advisories to Kerala, and compile state-wise flood damage data.
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA):
* Impact: Responsible for releasing funds under SDRF to the State Government.
* Action Required: Ensure timely release of funds to Kerala for disaster relief and management.
Citizens of Kerala (Especially Kottayam District):
* Impact: Directly affected by floods, including loss of property and life. Benefit from improved flood management infrastructure and forecasting.
* Action Required: Stay informed about flood forecasts and advisories, cooperate with evacuation efforts, and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their property.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The Indian government ministry responsible for water resources and river development.
Kerala: A state in India, focus of the flood control measures discussed in the document.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question regarding flood control in Kerala was addressed.
Central Water Commission: An organization responsible for technical guidance and flood forecasting.
Kottayam district: A district in Kerala that has experienced monsoon floods.
Flood Management Programme FMP: A Union Government initiative implemented during XI and XII Plans to provide central assistance to States for flood management.
Flood Management and Border Areas Programme FMBAP: A continuation of the Flood Management Programme, implemented from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
State Disaster Response Fund SDRF: A fund available to state governments for providing relief assistance during natural calamities.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. *161
ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025
FLOOD CONTROL IN KERALA
*161. ADV K. FRANCIS GEORGE
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has assessed the increased frequency and intensity of monsoon floods in
Kerala during recent years including damage caused in districts such as Kottayam;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with key findings on existing flood control infrastructure gaps;
(c) whether any specific Central projects or financial assistance have been sanctioned during the last three
years to strengthen river embankments, drainage systems and flood management infrastructure in Kerala;
and
(d) if so, the details of these projects along with their implementation status including financial allocation
made, district-wise?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI C R PAATIL)
(a) to (d) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
1STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF STARRED QUESTION NO.
*161 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025 IN LOK SABHA REGARDING “FLOOD CONTROL
IN KERALA”
(a) to (d) Kerala has been experiencing varying degree of monsoon floods during recent years.
Government of Kerala has informed that floods are often observed in western low-lying areas of Kottayam
district especially in Kumarakom, Thiruvarpp and Aymanam Grama panchayaths. The flooding in eastern
portion of Kottayam district occurred during the year 2018-2021 due to landslides associated with heavy
rain falls and consequent silting up of rivers in this region. Flooding in the recent years have been caused
from Meenachil, Muvattupuzha and Manimala rivers flowing through Kottayam district.
As per report of Central Water Commission on “Assessment of Area Affected Due to Floods in India
(2024)” based on satellite imageries data from 1986 to 2022, the total flood affected areas in Kerala is
assessed as 0.253 Mha and area protected through various steps taken for flood management by
the Central/State Government is 0.346 Mha.
The district wise data on flood damages is not maintained centrally, however, state wise data on
flood damages is compiled by Central Water Commission based on information received from concerned
states. The flood damage data pertaining to Kerala for last 5 years i.e. 2018 to 2022 is given at Annexure.
Flood management and anti-erosion schemes are formulated and implemented by concerned State
Governments as per their priority. The Union Government supplements the efforts of the States by
providing technical guidance and promotional financial assistance for management of floods in critical
areas. To strengthen the structural measures of flood management, Union Government had implemented
Flood Management Programme (FMP) during XI & XII Plans for providing central assistance to States for
works related to flood control, anti-erosion, drainage development, anti-sea erosion, etc. which is
continued as a component of “Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP)” during 2021-
22 to 2025-26. In Kerala 4 Flood Management Schemes costing Rs 279.74 Crore were included under
Central Sponsored scheme FMP/FMBAP during XI Plan. Till date central assistance amounting to Rs
137.95 Crore has been released against these 4 schemes.
As a non-structural measure of flood management, Central Water Commission (CWC) issues short-
range flood forecasts with a lead time up to 24 hrs. to concerned State Governments at identified locations.
In order to provide more lead time to the local authorities to plan evacuation of people & take other
remedial measures, Central Water Commission (CWC) has developed basin wise flood forecasting model
based on rainfall-runoff mathematical modelling for 7 days advance flood forecast advisory at identified
flood forecasting and inflow forecasting stations. Central Water Commission maintains 06 Flood
Forecasting stations in Kerala consisting of 4 level forecasting stations (Neeleswaram, Kumbidi,
Malakkara & Muthankera) and 02 inflow forecasting stations (Idukki Reservoir & Idamalayar Reservoir).
2The primary responsibility of disaster management rests with the State Government concerned. The
Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Government and provides requisite logistics and
financial support. The State Government undertakes assessment of damages caused due to 12 notified
natural calamities including rain and floods and provide relief assistance from State Disaster Response
Fund (SDRF) already placed at their disposal as per Government of India’s approved norms. Additional
financial assistance is provided from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), as per laid down
procedure in case of disaster of ‘severe nature’ which includes an assessment based on the visit of an
Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT). The details of central share of SDRF released by Ministry of
Home Affairs (MHA) during 2020-21 to 2024-25 is given as under:
Sl. No. Year Fund released under SDRF by MHA
(in Crore)
1 2020-21 251.20
2. 2021-22 251.20
3. 2022-23 264.00
4. 2023-24 277.60
5. 2024-25 291.20
Total 1335.20
***
3ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED
QUESTION NO. *161 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025 REGARDING “FLOOD CONTROL IN
KERALA”
STATEMENT SHOWING FLOOD DAM AGE DURING 2018 TO 2022
Area Damage to Damage to Human Damage Total
Sl. No. Year affecte Popul Crops Houses Cattle lives lost to damages
d in ation lost nos. public crops,
Area Value Nos. Value
(M.ha.) affecte nos. utilities houses&
(M.ha.(Rs. (Rs.
d (Rs. public
) Crore) Crore)
in Crore) utilities
(millio (Rs.Crore)
n)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1 2018 3.15 5.41 0.09 168.48 324386 998.13 47953 450 2154.15 3320.76
2 2019 0.01 0.11 0.01 16543 11338 301
3 2020 0.01 0.11 0.01 14016 0.00 2 14 0.00 0.00
4 2021 0.59 0.04 0.19 9256.30 9771 NR NR 131 NR 9256.30
5 2022 0.15 0.11 2216 161 109
NR- Not Reported
*****
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