Causes of Floods in Upper Krishna Basin of Maharashtra

The present paper attempts to analyse probable causes of flood situation in upper Krishna basin of southern Maharashtra. Flood situation has become disastrous during the years 2005 and 2006 in later part of July and early August in upper Krishna basin. It is also important to note that floods are aggravated phenomena by human and natural activities. About 27.72% of the geographical area of the upper Krishna basin of southern Maharashtra is affected by floods of which about 2.12% of total population of Upper Krishna basin has suffered in 2006. Since, the floods of rivers are responses of both natural and anthropogenic factors, the relative effects and causes vary from place to place. To analyse the causes of flood situation in the region under study, the statistical data and concerned information have been collected through personal visits and records available at Tehsil headquarters of Sangli, Kolhapur and Satara districts.