8. Role of Interlinking of Rivers to Mitigate Flood and Drought

Flood and droughts are water related disasters, which we have to encounter very frequently. Water Management includes management of these disasters in order to mitigate the misery of human beings. Both the phenomena occur in many parts of the world. In India also floods and droughts are experienced every year. In fact many times in the same state, one part is reeling under flood and another is facing drought. Construction of reservoirs and regulated release as per irrigation, domestic and other requirements is a common practice in water management, which also helps in moderation of flood. If the water, which is surplus beyond the inbasin requirements, is transferred to the drought prone areas by interlinking of rivers, it will serve dual purpose of reducing flood and providing relief from drought and will help in reducing the miseries of the people. In addition, this will also bring additional area under irrigation and provide drinking water in drought prone areas, increase food production and generate additional power for the nation. Interbasin transfer of water by interlinking of rivers has been discussed in this paper and recommended for implementation.