Which state ranks third in India's flood vulnerability hierarchy, with 3.70 million hectares of flood-prone area?

The correct answer is - Punjab Key Points In the ranking of Indian states by flood-prone land area, Punjab occupies the third position with 3.70 million hectares at risk. This high vulnerability is primarily due to the state's location in the Indus River basin , where five major rivers (Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum) flow through its fertile plains. The state is susceptible to riverine flooding during the monsoon when heavy rains in the Himalayan catchment areas cause these rivers to overflow their banks. The ranking is led by Uttar Pradesh (7.34m hectares) and Bihar (4.26m hectares), reflecting the extreme vulnerability of the northern river plains. Additional Information Rajasthan follows Punjab in the ranking with 3.26 million hectares, which may seem counterintuitive for a desert state, but it suffers from flash floods due to poor drainage and sudden, intense rainfall. Assam ranks fifth with 3.15 million hectares, largely due to the Brahmaputra River , which is known for its highly unstable channel and massive sediment load. Flood management in Punjab involves a complex system of canals and embankments , but aging infrastructure and siltation often reduce their effectiveness during peak monsoon discharge.