Time traveling through the floodscape: assessing the spatial and temporal probability of floods and susceptibility zones in the Lower Damodar Basin.

The flood of Damodar river is a well-known fact which is used to the whole riverine society of the basin as well as to the eastern India. The study aims to estimate the spatio-temporal probability of floods and identify susceptible zones in the Lower Damodar Basin (LDB). A flood frequency analysis around 90 years hydrological series is performed using the Log-Pearson Type III model. The frequency ratio model has also been applied to determine the spatial context of flood. This reveals the extent to which the LDB could be inundated in response to peak discharge conditions, especially during the monsoon season. The findings indicate that 36.64% of the LDB falls under high to very high flood susceptibility categories, revealing an increasing downstream flood vulnerability trend. Hydro-geomorphic factors substantially contribute to the susceptibility of the LDB to high magnitude floods. A significant shift in flood recurrence intervals, from biennial occurrences in the pre-dam period to decadal or vicennial occurrences in the post-dam period, is observed. Despite a reduction in high-magnitude flood incidents due to dam and barrage construction, irregular flood events persist. The effect of flood in the LDB region is considered to be either positive as well as negative in terms of wholistic sense and impact. The analytical results of this research could serve to identify flood-prone zones and guide the development of flood resilience policies, thereby promoting sustainability within the LDB floodplain.

Rural child health in India: the persistent nature of deprivation, undernutrition and the 2030 Agenda.

The 2030 Agenda for sustainable development was launched to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the globe. This paper is based on the primary database to assess the nutritional status of 5-10 years children and the incidence of deprivation in their households of a backward district (Purulia), India in the context of the first two SDGs, e.g., no poverty and zero hunger. We conclude that around 74% of children are undernourished. The proportion of households multidimensionally deprived is 90%, and the majority of them live on less than $1.25 a day. Results reveal that the BMI of mother and the education of father are the two most statistically significant predictors of child malnutrition. Purulia has long been witnessing the persistent nature of deprivation, which is well reflected in the child's health. The district is quite far from the national targets in achieving the SDGs. Government, private sector, and civil society must come together to accelerate the progress of SDGs.