Parliament Question: Losses due to Floods, River Erosion and Waterlogging

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6386 ANSWERED ON 02.04.2026 LOSSES DUE TO FLOODS, RIVER EROSION AND WATERLOGGING †6386. SHRI RAM SHIROMANI VERMA: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that the farmers and rural population in several districts of Uttar Pradesh, particularly Shravasti and Balrampur which are both aspirational districts and flood-prone areas suffer severe losses annually due to floods, river erosion and waterlogging and if so, the details of the losses incurred during the last three years, district-wise; (b) whether any comprehensive action plan for permanent flood control is being implemented in these districts through the strengthening of embankments, river dredging, development of drainage systems and inter-State coordination for river management and if so, the details and the current status of progress thereof; and (c) whether the Government proposes to provide any special package to promote minor irrigation projects, tube wells, check dams, water harvesting structures and micro-irrigation schemes to reduce dependency on rain-fed agriculture in these regions and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY) (a) to (c) Data on the losses caused by floods, river erosion and water logging in the country is not maintained centrally. 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 also promotional financial assistance for management of floods in critical areas. Government of Uttar Pradesh has informed that for flood control in Shravasti district, six embankments have been constructed on the left bank of the Rapti River, with a total length of 110.18 km. These embankments protect a population of 4,96,596, and 83,225 hectares of land in 291 village. During 2025, seven drains in a length of 45 km stretch has been cleaned. 1Government of Uttar Pradesh has informed that for flood control in Balrampur district, four embankments namely, Balrampur–Bhadaria embankment, Mewa Lal Talab Dipba embankment, Imilia- Khadar embankment and Bhojpur–Shahpur embankment have been constructed. Government of India is implementing Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana – “Per Drop More Crop” (Micro-irrigation) with an aim to enhance physical access of water on farm and expand cultivable area and assured irrigation, improve on farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices etc. Year-wise details of area covered in Shravasti district of Uttar Pradesh is given below: Year Area Covered Subsidy Number of (ha) (Rs. Lakh) Beneficiaries 2023-24 30.62 22.00 27 2024-25 115.00 128.99 87 2025-26 53.40 41.61 39 In addition to above the details of various interventions constructed in both districts Jal Shakti Abhiyan- Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) is given below: Renovation of Reuse and Watershed Intensive District Traditional Recharge Development Afforestation Water Bodies Structures Balrampur 148 281 4595 1552 Shravasti 274 122 4218 3118 The no. of completed works under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) in the districts of Balrampur and Shravasti are 887 and 1210 respectively. ***** 2