Bankura though being a rain fed district, it is widely known as the drought prone district of the State. Drought is a regular feature in the North-West part of the district covering Chhatna, Saltora,
Gangajalghati, Barjora, Bankura-I, Bankura-II, Mejia, Indpur, Hirbandh & Ranibandh Blocks.
Though this district receives good amount of rainfall, around 1400 mm. annually, is received per year yet cultivation and production of crop primarily depends on constricted period of erratic
rainfall. About 80% to 90% rainfall is generally received by the district from June to September depending on the onset of monsoon.
A conspicuous feature of this district is the absence of significant rainfall in the month of September and October. High runoff rate of rain water, inadequate storage facilities of the surface –
runoff and low water holding capacity of the soil accelerate the drought situation.
High run off because of undulating terrain and lack of proper water-harvesting & micro watershed developments makes situation more pre-carious.
After the arrival of monsoon the district registers many cases of flash-flood and inundation of many low-lying areas of the district like a part of Mejia, Barjora, Patrasayar, Kotulpur, Indus,
Sonamukhi, Raipur, Sarenga Blocks adjoining the major rivers & tributaries flowing through the district like Damodar, Dwarakeswar, Kangsabati, Shali and others.
There is no drainage problem in the district due to its undulating topography, yet the incidence of flood is not uncommon, due to siltation of rivers resulting in overflowing in case of heavy rain.
However, heavy rainfall in the district & in the upper catchment areas of Damodar River, coupled with breaches of river embankments and release of excess water from Kangsabati and D.V.C
Irrigation Project inundate Khariff Cropped areas in different parts of the district specially, in the Bishnupur Sub-division. That results in loss of crops, damage of houses and other properties.
Flood or flood like situation has attributed a new dimension to soil erosion by formation of “GULLY” due to tendency of the river (specially Shali at Sonamukhi & at Patrasayer block) to change
its course of direction. This problem may interfere with the livelihood and habitat of the people, in the downstream areas in a severe manner in future.
Apart from drought and flood, hail storm, thunderstorm, Road accident etc. are also of common occurrence in this district, although the extents of damage in these cases are not as
expensive as it caused by draught or flood.
The depredation caused by wild elephant is a common phenomenon in the district of Bankura. In the present scenario, elephant depredation in few places of this District causing a great deal of loss of life and properties.
With a view to mitigate the problems through adequate well-in-advance preparedness, this action plan is drawn to boost the management works in course of relief and rescue operation.
Well-in-advance preparedness with definite chain of command would certainly shorten the reaction time at the time of disasters and invariably mitigate the colossal damage by drought, flood
and other such devastating natural catastrophic as well as other disasters