Statistical Analysis of Major Flood Events During 1980-2015 in Middle Ganga Plain, Ganga River Basin, India

2. Study Area

Although not a definite physical unit, the Middle Ganga Plain lies between at latitudinal extend of 24°30'N-27°50'N and on a margin of longitudinal spread of 81°47'E- 87°50'E. The MGP is a huge physical area of 1,44,409 km² and with the immense human, cultural and economic significance that makes it the heart region of India. It covers the Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar Plains and some parts of Jharkhand state (Figure 1). The complete plain is lying within the Himalayan region in the north and the peninsular embankments in the south, respectively. The Ganga, having major tributaries- Ghaghara, Gandak, Son etc., is the main river which divides this plain from the middle and gives a clear cut North and South Middle Ganga Plain respectively. The western and eastern flanks of the MGP are wide open. The central part of the east-west continuum of the enormous isotropic Plain-there is no physical periphery as the plain gradually opens up in the west at the margin of the Upper Ganga Plain and so intangibility becomes invisible in the east bordering the Lower Ganga Plain. In conclusion, it is a par excellence transitional region, an essential part of the Ganga Valley, which has having all kinds of human, physical, cultural and economic properties, which makes it most significant expanse of the country (Singh 1971).