Sun Aug 03 04:48:15 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Researchers at IIT Delhi and IIT Gandhinagar have developed a District Flood Severity Index (DFSI) to address the lack of a comprehensive data-based flood severity assessment in India. The index considers factors such as the duration of flooding, percentage of flooded area, deaths, injuries, and population to identify districts most severely impacted by floods. While existing indices focus on flood magnitude, the DFSI emphasizes the impact on people. The researchers acknowledge limitations in the available data but aim to refine the index as more data becomes available, especially regarding agricultural land damage. Initial findings indicate that while Thiruvananthapuram experiences the highest number of flood events, Patna ranks highest on the DFSI due to a combination of factors including the impact on a larger population. The researchers hope the index will motivate better data collection and utilization for flood management.
**News Article:**
**New Flood Severity Index Aims to Better Assess Disaster Impact in India**
**CHENNAI, August 3, 2025** – In a nation plagued by recurring floods, a new comprehensive index has been developed to better assess the severity of these disasters and their impact on communities. Researchers from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) in Delhi and Gandhinagar have unveiled the District Flood Severity Index (DFSI), a tool designed to provide a data-driven assessment of flood impact at the district level.
“Despite the frequent flooding events across India, we lacked a standardized way to quantify their severity beyond just the magnitude of inundation,” explained Dr. Manabendra Saharia of IIT Delhi. “Our index focuses on the impact on people, considering factors such as injuries, deaths, and the percentage of district area affected.”
The DFSI incorporates data collected by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) since 1967, including the duration of flooding events, population data, and reported casualties. This allows for a more nuanced understanding of flood severity, moving beyond simply measuring water levels.
While the index aims to be comprehensive, the researchers acknowledge limitations in current data availability, particularly regarding the impact on agricultural land. “We will continue to refine the index as more data becomes accessible,” stated Dr. Sharad K. Jain of IIT Gandhinagar.
Initial analysis using the DFSI has revealed surprising results. While Thiruvananthapuram district records the highest number of flood events, Patna tops the DFSI rankings, reflecting a greater overall impact due to a higher population density and other factors.
The researchers hope the DFSI will provide valuable insights for policymakers and disaster management agencies, leading to more effective strategies for flood mitigation and response. They also emphasize the importance of improved data collection to further enhance the accuracy and utility of the index. The DFSI is expected to become a key tool in India’s efforts to build resilience against the devastating impacts of floods.
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