(iii) Research Institutions/Scholars.

3.1.2 Hydrology Project

Under the Hydrology Project-I concluded in December 2003 a comprehensive

hydrological Information System (HIS) comprising the physical infrastructure and human
resource to collect process, store and disseminate data on hydrological, and hydro-
meteorological quantity and quality variable has been established in the Central Water
Commission covering the entire peninsular region of India.

Central Water Commission has developed a data storage and dissemination

software containing Meta Data (information about availability data) of various data
storage centers for all the ground water and surface water agencies. The catalogue has
been hosted on the web. The address of the website is http//www.India-water.com.
Catalogue provides information to the data user on-line about what kind of data, for what
period is available with which agency? Through catalogue the data user can make a
map/list based selection of the data required by him and can generate Data Request File
(DRF) for the same. DRF is automatically e-mailed to all the concerned data storage
centers for supplying the data.

Central Water Commission has submitted a proposal for taking up Hydrology

Project Phase-II consisting of two major components – Institutional Strengthening and
Vertical Extension. It is proposed to carry out the consolidation of HP-I, increasing
awareness for data dissemination and knowledge sharing, logistical support etc. under
the Institutional Strengthening. Under the vertical extension component “Development of
Hydrological Design Aids including standardization of methodology/protocols” is a major
activity envisaged. The estimated cost of the proposal is Rs. 2489.76 lakh without
contingencies and Rs. 2962.98 lakh with contingencies.

3.2. FLOOD FORECASTING & WARNING SERVICES:

For techno-economic reasons, flood management measures, wherever

planned and executed in our country, have been only against the flood of certain
magnitude while the floods of higher magnitude do occur creating havoc.
Accordingly, flood forecasting and warning system has been planned parallel to
structural measures of flood management, as advance knowledge of incoming
floods plays an important role in reducing flood damage as also better planning of
rescue/relief operations. Flood forecast ( Inflow Forecast ) also helps in optimum
regulations of (multipurpose) reservoirs with or without flood cushion.

Flood Forecasting activities in India in a scientific manner made a beginning in

1958 when the erstwhile Central Water and Power Commission (CW&PC) set up a Flood
forecasting Unit (FFU) for issuing flood forecasts and warnings of floods in the Yamuna at
the National Capital, Delhi. This service has since been expanded by CWC to cover
almost all major flood prone inter-State river basins of India. At present there are 172
flood forecasting stations, 145 level forecasting and 27 inflow forecasting stations on
major dams/barrages. It covers 9 major river systems in the country, including 69 river
sub-basins. They pertain to 15 States viz. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh,
Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tripura,
Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh & West Bengal and one union territory Dadra & Nagar Haveli
and the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

On an average, over 6000 forecasts are being issued every year by the
Central Water Commission during flood season. Normally, these forecast are issued 12
to 48 hours in advance, depending upon the river terrain, the locations of the flood

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