Which Indian state is ranked as the most flood-prone, with approximately 7.34 million hectares of land liable to flooding?

The correct answer is - Uttar Pradesh Key Points Uttar Pradesh holds the highest flood vulnerability in India, with an estimated 7.34 million hectares of land prone to flooding. This is largely due to its location in the heart of the Indo-Gangetic Plain , where numerous Himalayan rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Ghaghara flow. The state's topography is relatively flat, which causes rivers to meander and overflow their banks during the heavy monsoon rains. Additionally, the high silt load carried by these rivers leads to the raising of riverbeds, further reducing their carrying capacity. Following Uttar Pradesh, Bihar is the second most affected state (4.26 million hectares), followed by Punjab (3.70 million hectares) and Rajasthan (3.26 million hectares). Flood management in these regions involves a combination of structural measures (embankments, dams) and non-structural measures (flood forecasting, flood plain zonation). Additional Information While the Indo-Gangetic states face riverine floods, states like Assam (3.15 million hectares) deal with the massive Brahmaputra system, which is characterized by high discharge and extreme bank erosion. In total, about 11 states in India are considered majorly flood-prone, contributing to the national average of 40 million hectares of flood-prone area. The economic impact of floods in India is significant, affecting agriculture, infrastructure, and causing large-scale displacement, necessitating robust disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies at the state level.