Kosi Flood Hazard and Disaster Management : A Case Study of Supaul District

India is one of the worst flood-affected countries in the world and accounts for one fifth of global death count due to floods. Bihar is India's most flood-prone State, with 76 percent of the population, in the north Bihar living under the recurring threat of flood devastation. The Kosi River in north Bihar plains presents a challenge in terms of long and recurring flood hazard. Despite a long history of flood control management in the basin for more than 5 decades, the river continues to bring a lot of misery through extensive flooding. For this reason, it is often called “Sorrow of Bihar”. Supaul district is one of the most flood affected district of India but the disaster management facility and planning is inadequate. Out of 11 blocks, 5 blocks are affected by flood every year. The aim of present paper was to study different aspects of Kosi flood and disaster management at district level. The study is based on secondary data as well as primary data. The analysis made here follows statistical methods and cartographic techniques, interpretation of maps and diagrams, recording varying observation on temporal and spatial scale. The paper briefly discusses the dynamic nature of the Kosi River as well as trend and pattern of kosi flood. A discussion is made on disaster management facility available at district level .The paper also recommends a way forward