Development of meander cutoffs—a multi-temporal satellite-based observation in parts of Sindh River, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

Identification of fluvial landforms is of paramount importance in river planform change studies. Satellite remote sensing is a proven technology to identify fluvial landforms and map the associated changes over a period of time because of its synopticity and repetivity. Sindh River, which is the lifeline in central India, changes its course in the alluvial plain, mainly due to meander cutoffs. In this study, multi-temporal satellite data over a period of 23 years were used to find out the behaviour of a meander loop in parts of the Sindh River. It was found that the meander cut off in this loop is a typical neck cutoff unlike chute cutoff in general. The river shows a decreasing trend of sinuosity index during the observation period.