Linkages Between Sinuosity Index and Flood Sustainability: A Study of Morna River (Maharashtra), India

Abstract

The morphological changes in the river channel over periods that occur due to the flood events, affected the sinuosity index of the river channel. The river characteristic like sinuosity also determines the intensity of flood in a channel. Recent flood losses have increased as a result of variability in rainfall; simultaneously such problems are coming up with sustainable development. The attempted research study has been carried out to evaluate and understand the river channel changes and bank stability of the Morna river in Maharashtra. The research work also identified the pattern/planform of the river. Morna river meets Warna river near the Mangle village. Most of the streams in the upper basin area are non-perennial. The occurrence of floods takes place due to seasonal rainfall. An index of Sinuosity was used to analyze variation in river courses, as well as identify stability and instability. Therefore, this may facilitate predicting probable riverbank erosion sites and also support sustainable flood management planning for these sites during forthcoming flood events. The sinuosity index of the Morna river ranges from 1.09 to 1.44. The sinuosity indexes for the Morna river and tributaries of its sub-basins/watersheds have been calculated using geospatial techniques. The disparities in sinuosity indexes of the Morna basin and sub-watersheds having a good correlation with slope of the river , fluvial processes, water discharge and hydraulic aspects of the river channel. Seasonal potential flood risk for the agricultural land may be found at the confluence of the Warna river and its tributary Morna river when it receives heavy rainfall in upstream.