Ganga River Migrated 20 Meters Annually in Bihar from 1972 to 2020
• A geomorphological study has revealed that the Ganga River in Bihar has been migrating laterally at an average rate of 20.33 metres per year between 1972 and
• The river's floodplain has undergone significant changes, with an average shape area migration rate of 9.73 square kilometres annually. Researchers used satellite observations and spatial statistics to analyse the river's meander dynamics and erosion patterns. The study identified 7,584.20 square kilometres of erosion hotspots and 5,276.48 square kilometres of coldspots, with the most significant riverbank loss occurring along the left bank in north Bihar.
Impact & Risks
The lateral migration and erosion of the Ganga River have caused substantial disruption to riparian communities in Bihar. Over the 48-year study period, 1,137.46 square kilometres of land were eroded, while 1,107.66 square kilometres were deposited as sediment. These changes have led to challenges in food security, economic stability, and environmental planning for the region. The clustered nature of erosion, as indicated by a Moran's I value of 0.91, highlights the concentrated impact on specific areas, particularly in north Bihar.
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