Abstract
The morphological changes in the river channel over periods that occur due to the flood events, affected the sinuosity index of the river channel. The river characteristic like sinuosity also determines the intensity of flood in a channel. Recent flood losses have increased as a result of variability in rainfall; simultaneously such problems are coming up with sustainable development. The attempted research study has been carried out to evaluate and understand the river channel changes and bank stability of the Morna river in Maharashtra. The research work also identified the pattern/planform of the river. Morna river meets Warna river near the Mangle village. Most of the streams in the upper basin area are non-perennial. The occurrence of floods takes place due to seasonal rainfall. An index of Sinuosity was used to analyze variation in river courses, as well as identify stability and instability. Therefore, this may facilitate predicting probable riverbank erosion sites and also support sustainable flood management planning for these sites during forthcoming flood events. The sinuosity index of the Morna river ranges from 1.09 to 1.44. The sinuosity indexes for the Morna river and tributaries of its sub-basins/watersheds have been calculated using geospatial techniques. The disparities in sinuosity indexes of the Morna basin and sub-watersheds having a good correlation with slope of the river , fluvial processes, water discharge and hydraulic aspects of the river channel. Seasonal potential flood risk for the agricultural land may be found at the confluence of the Warna river and its tributary Morna river when it receives heavy rainfall in upstream.
Highlights
Flooding is an imperative problem in Kolhapur region of Maharashtra
The settlement and agricultural areas are highly damaged due to river action with heavy discharge resulting for the variation in the sinuosity index of a channel
Classification of river channels as straight, sinuous, and meandering is identified based on the sinuosity index of the river channel
Summary
Flooding is an imperative problem in Kolhapur region of Maharashtra. Most of the river basins and lowlying areas have facing unpredictable flood events due to heavy rainfall and human intervention. The river channel is become meandering in nature (SI>1.3) This change in the Sinuosity Index values of Morna river channel from the upper part to the lower part of the basin is shifted its pattern from sinuous (1.22) to nearly straight (1.09) to meandering (1.44). Upper course of the river with the steep slopes and longer lengths generates flash floods, whereas plain areas in the lower course increase the duration period of the flood.[35] Heavy rainfall and runoff in upstreams of the Morna river lead to silting in the downstream part This process produced the alternate bars in the Morna river near Mangle village. Settlement zones and well-developed agricultural plots (Fig 4) of Mangale village near large meandering bends are more susceptible to the shifting of the river's course as its profile becomes sinuous. Sustainable flood planning is more effective by estimating the effects of river shifts and river sinuosity and inundated vulnerable flood affected areas
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