Morphometric Analysis of Yamuna River Basin in Delhi Region: Implications to Hydrological Hazards

Morphometric analysis has been performed for three subbasins of Yamuna river catchment in Delhi region to gain understanding on differential response of individual sub-basins to rainfall and related hazards viz., surface runoff, soil erosion, flood vulnerability and potential. Sub-basins Delhi central and Delhi east show overall higher soil erodibility and flood potential than Delhi west. Delhi central is more responsive to rainfall induced surface runoff and soil erosion due to its higher relief and complex landscape configuration. The inferences made by morphometric analysis are supported by rainfall trend analysis for past 30 years. Revisiting severe flood events during last one century helped in specifying the areas with higher vulnerability and susceptibility to similar floods in future. The results thus obtained would help in prioritizing the areas for risk assessment and flood management, especially the parts of Delhi east and Delhi central sub-basins that are most vulnerable to floods.