International Research Journal of Environment Sciences________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 4(11), 68-74, November (2015) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 68 Tidal Flood and Rain Water Logging Around the Hugli Estuary andIts Impact on Khejuri-Hijili Sector of Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, IndiaPradhan Mihir KumarPaul Ashis KumarChatterjee Soumendu and Barman Nilay KantiDepartment of Geography and Environment Management, Vidyasgar University, Midnapore, INDIA Department of Geography, Presidency University, Kolkata, INDIA Department of Geography, Hijli College, Kharagpur, INDIAAvailable online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me Received 18th September 2015, revised 15th October 2015, accepted 6th November 2015 AbstractKhejuri police station is located at the lower Bengal Basin near the Hugli river mouth under Midnapore (east). It is considered as a littoral tract region having monsoon climatic character. Naturally this area is known for its agricultural potential. Rice, Betel leaves, Lemons and various types of vegetables like potato, Brinzal, Chilli, Sugarcane stick etc. are the main crops produced which are sent to local and national markets which is important in the context of national trade. The present paper seeks to analyze the problems of land degradation due to recurring water logging that has been instrumental in losing the earlier glory of the area as an agriculturally potential tract. Keywords: Water logging, Bengal basin, littoral tract, agricultural potential. Introduction Khejuri a part of Kanthi coastal tract (regionally extended from Rupnarayan River to Subarnarekha delta around Hugli estuary) is associated with several beach ridges and sand dunes and intervening tidal flats at the south west of this area. The area is also formed under deltaic floodplain environment of Hugli estuary. Later the area was modified by tidal process. This coastal low land tract lies at a height about 2-3 m above mean sea level. The beach ridges and sand dunes of this area are partly obliterated, segmented and cut by tidal waves, anthropogenic activities and weathered in sub aerial environment. These coastal features suggest that the area was once lying under older coastal control and estuarine environment. Belong a low land area, Khejuri is also prone to water logging, flood risk and storm hazards due to estuarine location. The entire area is protected by earthen embankment to avoid water logging during storm and high tide episodes. Water logged is one of the foremost tribulations of land dilapidation in India. Intuitive execution of soil, water and crops in irrigated lands and hindrance of natural drainage structures by different developmental mechanisms are the main aspects, which responsible for distracting the equilibrium of inflow and outflow of water, important to water logging condition. While irrigation has amplified by leaps and bounds, its attendant predicament of water logging condition is now plaguing considerable area of agricultural lands. The area of study Khejuri Police Station is formed of two blocks namely, Khejuri- I and Khejuri- II, extending between 21°47'4" N to 22°4' N latitudes and 87°45'4" E to 88°18' E longitudes covering an area of 267.97 Sq.km. table-l.Khejuri is a part of coastal plain of west Bengal by the western bank of giant funnel shaped Hugli estuary, lying just to north of Bay of Bengal figure-1. Hence this area is frequently attracted by cyclones that take of course along the Hugli estuary. At the event of a cyclone amplification of storm surges causes inland flooding of vast area. Some devastating cyclones like Calcutta cyclone (1737) Midnapore cyclone (1864, 1942) Sundarban cyclone (1988 and 1989) many other cyclones occurred during October and November and even ‘Aila’ of 2009 struck Khejuri due to its estuarine location. The south-west monsoon (June- September) appears in the lower Bengal with a series of depressions developed at the head of the Bay Bengal and also recedes from west Bengal (Oct. Nov.) by forming depression over Bay of Bengal. Among these depressions at least 80% turn into storms and lash on the coastal area of Bengal Basin. Usually, high monsoon rainfall over Bengal coastal plain, downstream discharge of Bengal Rivers and the seasonal high seas of the Bay of Bengal modify tide and surges during cyclonic episodes. Identification of Water Logging Conditions The low lying coastal area is used to be waterlogged when the excess water stands still due to unscientific poor drainage system or when the low water table increases to an extent that soil pores space in the root zone of a crop turn into saturated, consequently in restraint to the usual movement of the air, turn down in the level of oxygen and enhance in the level of carbon dioxide. The real deepness of water table, when it starts distressing the yield of the crops unfavorably, may differ over an extensive range from zero for rice to about 1.5 meters for other crops. A Working Group represented in 1991 by the International Research Journal of Environment Sciences _____________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 4(11), 68-74, November (2015) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 69 Ministry of Water Resources to recognize the dilemma areas exaggerated by water logging/ salinity/ alkalinity in accessible irrigation projects in the country and to propose appropriate curative procedures for their recovery adopted the following norms for detection of waterlogged areas: table-2 Some States, however, have taken on different standards for identifying the waterlogged areas according to their own conditions and observation. Figure-1 Study Area extending between 21°47'4" N to 22°4' N latitudes and 87°45'4" E to 88°18' E longitudesTable-1 The physical properties of the study area according to blockBlock Area (Km) % of Area to total district area Physical Boundary Khejuri-I 130.51 3.04 Talpati channel in the North. Rasulpur in the South. Khejuri – II in East. Thakurnagar Khal and Bhagwanpur-II Block in West. Khejuri–II 137.46 3.20 Talpati channel in the North. Hugli river in the East. Rasulpur in the South-West. Khejuri – I in the West. International Research Journal of Environment Sciences _____________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 4(11), 68-74, November (2015) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 70 Table-2 The norms for identification of waterlogged areas according to their own conditions and perceptionsWater logged Areas (Due to rise in water Table) Water table within 2 meters of the land surface Potential Areas for water logging Water table between 2 to 3 meters below land surface Safe Areas Water table below 3 meters of land surface Source: Block Development Office, Khejuri-II D.R.Cell, Memo No. 1165 /14.10.2004 Major Origin of Water Logging Situation over the Study AreaThe prime causes of water logging condition of this geomorphic part have been identified by the present researchers as well as the Administrative Department of East Medinipore. These causes are very frequent in nature in this part of lower coastal littoral tract. The causes are as follows: The earthen embankment of the river Rasulpur and Hugli are in very poor condition. The excess water of the river Subarnarekha from Orissa over flown and becomes stagnant during the rainy season which inundates the coastal part of Khejuri. Sea coast saving embankment is in weak condition. Some time it is broken by the lashing of wave water and allows the tidal water to enter into the low lands of the area. In some parts, the old embankments are very so weak that after heavy rain that are unable to withstand the water pressure and thence undergo wreckage. Over flow of the river Rasulpur, Hugli and the water surges of Bay of Bengal frequently inundate the three sides (Excluding western) of Khejuri even in pre and post- monsoon period. District administration have also declared Khejuri- I, as light flood zone and Khejuri- II, block as the cyclonic and flood prone zone10. In course of time the tidal canals of the study area have fallen victim of decay and causes water logging. Man-Made Causes The entire southern part of Khejuri belt adjoining the Hugli and Rasulpur River is known as “JALPAI” which means an area from where huge fuel-wood was collected for making salt from brine. Once one a time Khejuri was noted for making this type of salt. So it paved the way for massive deforestation causing enormous soil erosion in this area. Naturally this erosion helped silting in the river bed. The density of population here demands varieties of trees and plants in place of mangrove swamps seemingly less valuable in the eyes of the people of this place. But its saline environment, only suitable for mangrove swamps, cannot stand the indiscriminate felling of these trees and so it causes quick erosion of soil and silting. The natural flow of the tidal channels here is mostly impeded for fishing purpose by way of casting nets and making petty cross earthen embankments in these channels. For example Hijili Tidal Canal (H.T.C.), once an important waterway for trade and commerce, is now mostly obstructed for fishing purposes. As per need of human habitation here many ‘khals’ (narrow tidal channels linked with the big tidal channels) have been occupied forcibly by way of filling mud into the beds of these. Secondly, culverts and foot-bridges have been constructed for communication and transport. All these cause obstruction in the natural flow of water in these channels. In the past, up to mid 19th century brine was allowed to enter into the channels for making salt. But now salt making is totally stopped and brine is not allowed to enter as was previously done. So there is dearth of easy flow of water. Moreover brine is not helpful for agriculture. So it is not allowed to enter through channels. It can be referred that, in 1832 an earthen embankment was constructed by the then British government around the river side for the purpose of restraining brine for agriculture. Natural Causes This area is recognized by National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organization, Govt. of India as recent alluvial zone. Consequently, it facilitated the quick erosion of soil. Actually Khejuri is situated to the north part of the Digha-Kanthi coastal sand dune belt. Once there were also many sand dunes over the area. Due to repeated cyclones, storm surges and some man-made activities, these sand dunes were destroyed prompting future siltation in channel beds. For its geographical location by the side of Hugli mouth, sea wind and waves are strong enough to cause erosion and silting simultaneously. Water Logging Scenario in the Study Area Water logging conditions may be a consequence of both physical and anthropogenic factors. Physical issues may comprise ordinary normal drainage as an effect of inauspicious sub-soil geology like existence of hardpan at very low depths; International Research Journal of Environment Sciences _____________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 4(11), 68-74, November (2015) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 71 spilling of river waters consequential of submergence of agricultural lands; profound storm rainfall event etc.. However, water logging situation is caused mostly because of human alterations like deforestation. Developmental activities like construction of roads, bridges and settlement is directed to the pungent \n  \rEven a rain having duration of few hours causes water-logging for few days. All the Gram Panchyayets (G.P.) of Khejuri-I block except the Kamarda and Kalagachia G.P of the study area water logging is very common. Inadequacy of outlets for drainage of rain water; entry of high tide water along the channels hindering passage of excess water of rain and flooding due to embankment breaching are the causes behind water logging in this area. Not only in 1942, had most of the area under study remained under the water of height about 5 feet by only one day cyclonic rain of 5 hours duration on 25th May, 2009 kept the entire of Khejuri block especially the river side low lands, under water of considerable depth. On the year 2005, the one day rain of 3 hours duration kept the water standing up to two feet height in the central part of Khejuri II block along the river side low lands. The following table-3 and 4 gives an idea of severity of the problem in the area by representing the effects of a 7 days rainfall event in 2004. Table-3 The Prime Causes of Water Logging Condition during the October 3rd to 7th in 2004 at Khejuri-II BlockKhejuri-II Block Causes of calamity Continuous Rain fall Occurrence period of rain rd to 7th October, 2004 Affected area 116 sq.km. out of 133.96 sq.km No. of mouzas affected 95 out of 99 No. of people affected 1,13,940 out of 1,17,409 No.of house affected 368 Damage of crops in hectares 2417 out of 4616 Pan boroj (Beetle leaf Garden) affected in hectare 122 Relief measures Tarpaulins sheets, cloths, ice, medicines, water pouches distributed from different sectors. Source: Block Development Office, Khejuri-II D.R.Cell, Memo No. 1165 /14.10.2004 Table-4 Statement Showing the Damage Due to Water-Logging by Heavy Rain Fall on 2004, Khejuri Police Station, West BengalNames of the G.P. Types of the Crops Beetle vine yards in hectare Summer vegetables in hec. Orchard in hec. Area Covered Affected /Damaged No. of Boroj Area Covered Affected/ Damaged Area Covered Affected / Damaged Heria 3 2 30 23 10 12 4 Lakshi 4 2.4 65 25 15 10 5 Tikashi 5 5 50 15 10 10 5 Birbandar 5 5 60 10 5 5 3 Kamarda 10.5 5 150 5 3.5 4 3 Kalagachia 7.5 5 120 5 3.5 5 3 Total 35 24.4 475 83 47 46 23 Source: Agricultural Development Office, Khejuri –I Block, (30/5/2009) International Research Journal of Environment Sciences _____________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 4(11), 68-74, November (2015) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 72 So far as the month wise distribution of storms and depressions originating in Bay of Bengal is considered. There is a remarkable concentration of such events in October and November. During this post monsoon phase of hydrologically saturated regime, occurrence of cyclones with high rainfall leads the area to be affected severity by flooding. The tropical storms and depressions for the period 1971-1990, except for a small number that formed over land in the occurrence of the south west monsoon months, June to September, all the remaining disturbances were of sea origin. The monthly frequencies of occurrence of a period for the last 20 years are given below table-5. In effect of the Cyclone ‘Aila’ a large section of backward and marginal people of the area became homeless and their suffering knew no bounds. Mainly sea facing villages like Pachuria under Khejuri –II block submerged after bursting of sea dyke10. 6 rescue camps at Khejuri-II were set by the Government to provide immediate relief and support to about 20,000 affected people. Due to breaching of embankment along Rupnarayan River area in its western part of Khejuri –I Block got inundated. Following table-6has given the detail of damage impacts of ‘Aila’ 2009 in Purba Medinipore District. A few low lying pockets in the area faces water logging during kharif season due to poor drainage system resulting from deposition of silt along the drainage channels. The total drainage length is sufficient for the area but the problem may be solved properly. Most of the channels are virtually connected to the two rivers-Hugli and Rasulpur river. Hence, there happens ingress of saline tidal water dominantly during summer months, which increases the salinity of the area. This may be prevented by constructing sluice gates on selected drainage points. The inherent salinity being at considerably lower level is not a problem for the area. Some areas which are very frequently flooded by saline tidal water during high tide become highly saline. This problem gets minimized on repeated washing by the rain water during Kharif season. In some Entisol area sub-soil salinity increases during Rabi season if faulty irrigation practice is followed. The growing of salt tolerant crops with a limited irrigation is suggested. In the pre-monsoon summer months, the unsaturated coastal soil of the area may be encrusted with salt by saline water when large cyclone passes over the area with high tidal waves10. Table-5 Monthly Frequencies of Storms and Depressions in Bay of Bengal Region (1971-1990)Type of Calamities Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jan July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total Storms 1 0 0 2 11 3 3 4 7 16 27 8 82 Depressions 2 0 0 0 1 13 11 29 10 15 7 8 96 Total 3 0 0 2 12 16 14 33 17 31 34 16 178 Source: An addendum to the storm track atlas 1877-1970. Indian Meteorological dept.-1996, Mousom Bhaban New Delhi, Page i. Table-6 Damage Impacts of ‘Aila’, 2009 in Purba Medinipur District in Terms of House and PopulationName of District Name of Sub-Division Name of Block No. of Affected Village No. of House Fully Destroyed No. of House Partly Destroyed Population Affected Sector of Population Most affected Purba Medinipur Contai Contai-I 50 60 1000 25000 Fishermen and Marginalized Families, Children, and women Contai-II 40 75 500 20000 Bhagwanpur-II 25 7 400 15000 Ramnagar-I 75 15 750 30000 Ramnagar-II 65 10 500 25000 Khejuri-I 20 10 500 20000 Khejuri-II 30 215 350 12000 Source: Cyclone Aila report of W.B.Govt. 2009 International Research Journal of Environment Sciences _____________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 4(11), 68-74, November (2015) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 73 Logging of saline water has not only worsened the agricultural practices but also it prompted the spread of some tropical disease like Malaria, Blood dysentery, Small Pox and Cholera. The saline ocean water is stored in the ditch like low lands for the salt preparation in this coastal region. Salt is manufactured during the months from January to May. After that, in the rainy season rain water mixes with the saline water disabling the process of making salt. This stored water creates an unhygienic environment offers an ideal place for mosquito breeding and Malaria spreads. So the people of this area are used to be attacked by a native proverb goes as -‘It is one thing to go to Hijli but quite another to come back alive’. When Job Charnok took shelter over here in 1687, Khejuri was then attacked with a severe Malaria episode11. Characteristically Khejuri is an alluvial tract, similar to most districts of the Gangetic plain in lower Bengal. So the environment had always been conducive for living. Just 500 years ago people from Western side of this tract came over to here for living and were mostly engaged in salt manufacturing, agriculture and collection of sea fish. The anthropogenic modifications of the landscape upon increasing population pressure have added much fuel to the water logging problem12table-7. Long Term Problems Produced by Water Logging Conditions The study area is one of the significant part of the Gangetic alluvial plain in lower Bengal, receives medium-high rainfall (average 175.26cm/y) and the soils have developed from sand and clay brought down by the river Ganga from the country above. Moreover, the area is situated near the sea coast and low-lying areas are traversed by tidal river and creeks. All these factors collectively play and increased the soil salinity and set negative impacts on agricultural crops10 table-8. Other rivers being incapable of holding excess water during monsoon are apt to overflow and cause serious damage to standing crops. In the events the period of inundation, large section of the area covered by deposits of sands. To keep the area out of these floods, many embankments have been constructed around flood prone areas, called ‘circuits’. As such much of the alluvial tract is consequently crisscrossed with a network of embankments. Transverse embankments are constructed across the channels which prohibit ingress of tidal saline water but accelerate the silting process causing decline in the capacity of channels to hold water. In the coastal area, embankments of extensive length are required for defending the shore line from the invasion of river, to impede the inrush of salt water along tidal creeks and also for keep away from the inundation of low regions by the rivers overflowing their banks. In most cases, the river have ceased to be a drainage channel and water holding capacity diminishes as its approaches towards mouth, while its bed rises in elevation. Table-7 Temporal Change in Number of Mouzas of the Study Area under Different Population Density Classes (1951-2001) Population density Classes 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 Average grow th rate/year 1951-1961 Average growth rate/year 1961-1971 Average growth rate/year 1971-1981 Average growth rate/year 1981-1991 Average growth rate/year 1991-2001 Below 401 79 55 34 21 14 7 -3.04 -3.82 -3.82 -3.33 -5.00 401-800 44 62 74 77 54 45 4.09 1.94 0.41 -2.99 -1.67 801-1200 7 14 18 24 44 50 10.00 2.86 3.33 8.33 1.36 1201-1600 3 1 8 8 17 18 -6.67 70.00 0.00 11.25 0.59 Above 1600 0 2 1 4 8 17 0.00 -5.00 30.00 10.00 11.25 Depopulation 7 7 6 7 4 4 0.00 -1.43 1.67 -4.29 0.00 Total 140 141 141 141 141 141 Source: District Census Hand Book, Govt. of India, 1951, 1961, 1971, 1981, 1991, 2001, N.B.: After 1951 A Mouza Named Kamdebnagar (J.L. No. 142) was formed. International Research Journal of Environment Sciences _____________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 4(11), 68-74, November (2015) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 74 Table-8 Soil Problems in Terms of Salinity, Alkalinity and Acidity in Khejuri Block Name of Block Saline Alkaline Acidic Micro Nutrient Deficiency Soil Erosion Water Logged Total Mild Severe Area (Hec.) Mild Severe Area (Hec.) Mild Severe Area (Hec.) Mild Severe Area (Hec.) Mild Severe Area (Hec.) Mild Severe Area (Hec.) Khejuri - I 725 0 725 0 0 0 0 0 0 300 0 300 0 0 0 300 200 0 1525 Khejuri - II 545 0 545 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 250 150 0 945 District Total 8640 0 8640 425 0 425 2420 0 2420 5585 0 5585 2660 75 2585 10415 5635 2175 37405 Source: S.R.E. Plan Purba Medinipur, 2006, page-III/2. Embankments are thus urgently required in the tidal areas for protection of the lands in the interior, which slope away from the rivers and form saucer-shaped hollows between them. It is said in Hijili, that a single overflow of salt water is fatal to crops for the next three years12. Poorly managed embankment of river system and utterly neglected drainage systems are instrumental for water logging in the area which not only causes serious agricultural damages but also various infectious diseases to spread. Cholera took an epidemic form in 1901, 1902, 1906 and 1907. A death density of 25.8 people per square mile and 3.8 people per square mile were recorded in 1906 and 1907 respectively due to blood dysentery. A special investigation about the disease was made in 1906-07 by captain W.E.H. Forster, I.M.S. by whom a method of vaccine therapy was introduced. After that the death rate was checked. About 17841 lives were lost by smallpox in 1902, and in the coastal area the death density was 6.39 people per square mile13. Conclusion Storm, tidal waves, flood, water-logging conditions etc. play jointly as natural causes of the degradation of agricultural lands. This has significantly reduced the agricultural field of the blocks under study. In addition to the natural factors, the anthropogenic factors have contributed much to the situation. Deforestation has emerged as a serious problem in the area that has naturally worsened the water logging problem more serious by weakening and exposing the embankments to the hazards. Hence there is a need for increasing safety of the area against water logging. 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