Land Drainage Improvement in Uttar Pradesh-A

Remote Sensing & GIS Approach

Rajiva Mohan*1, V.K. Bansal*2 & Amit Kumar Gupta*3

1.0 Introduction :

Land drainage is one of the most important factors to maintain or to improve yields per unit of farmed
land. The definition of land drainage, as given in constitution of the International commission on
Irrigation & Drainage (ICID), 1979 is as follows : 'Land drainage is the removal of excess surface and
subsurface water from the land to enhance crop growth, including the soluble salts from the soil :

Records from the old Indus civilization (i.e. Mohenjo-Daro and the Harappa show that around
2500 B.C. the Indus valley was farmed. When Indus was in high stage, a narrow strip of land along the
river was flooded and the excess water was drained (Snelgrove 1967) Although salinity problem may
have contributed to the decline of old civilization (Maierhofer 1962) there is evidence that the importance
of land drainage & Salinity control was understood and was in practice. In mesopotamia, control of the
water table was based on avoiding an excess use of irrigation water and on the cropping practice of
weed-fallow in alternate years. There is ample evidence that during Roman civilization, subsurface
drainage was known.

During 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, drainage techniques spread over Europe, including Russia and
U.S.A. (Wooten & Jones, 1955). The invention of steam engine in 19th century and fuel engine in 20th
century and advancement in excavating & trenching machines led the development of subsurface drains
in India and all over the world.

In Uttar Pradesh, the surface drains are developed mainly by Irrigation Department. Agriculture
Department, Command Area Development Authority (CADA), various other department, agencies &
farmers also contribute to some extent.

Remote Sensing has been used successfully in Uttar Pradesh and other parts of Country for survey
and monitoring of waterlogged and drainage congested areas in addition to delineation of soil types,
landforms, geological setting, landuse and cropping pattern and other parameters which are required to be
studied for preparation of drainage plan of an area. Further, Geographical Information System has played
its significant role in integration of the above spatial and non-spatial data.

*1 Remote Sensing Expert, State Water Resources Agency, Walmi Bhawan, Utrethia, Lucknow.
*2 Chief Engineer Level-I & Irrigation and Drainage Expert, State Water Resources Agency, Lucknow
*3 GIS Expert, State Water Resources Agency, Walmi Bhawan, Utrethia Agency, Lucknow.
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2.0 Aspects for Considerations :

For designing the drainage system, one must know the locations of areas where water is in excess and
amount of water in excess. Hence, A number of relevant basic maps and data on Hydrogeological,
hydrological and topographic, soil, physiographic, landuse & climate information of area of interest is
essentially to be generated . A water balance of the area to be drained is the most accurate tool to
calculate the volume of water to be drained. Further all sub-surface water inflows and outflow must be
estimated. Precipitation and the evapotranspiration data from the area must be analysed. In addition, all
relevant data on the hydraulic properties of soil should be collected. The source of excess water should be
identified.

Generally, the planning of Drainage requires information at two levels :

Reconnaissance level :

Its main objective is to make an inventory of the problem and formulate possible solutions based on the
available data generally, field surveys are kept at minimum.

Feasibility level :

This phase involves field surveys and investigation to prepare the detailed drainage plan.

The two phases of survey should be able to address following issues :

 The location and the extent of problem.

 The origin of the excess water (rainfall, over-irrigation, high groundwater table, seepage from
canal or flood etc).

 Salinity/Sodicity problem.

 Is there a surface and/or a subsurface drainage problem

 Possible remedial measure-surface, subsurface (Horizontal or vertical) and Biodrainage etc.

 Detailed design.

 Cost-Benifit Analysis

 Environmental Consideration.

 Operation & maintenance of proposed drainage works.

After the two level of survey, the actual design of the drainage should be prepared.

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3.0 Remote Sensing & GIS in Drainage Surveys :

Identification of the nature, extent, spatial distribution and temporal behavior of the water logged areas is
a pre-requisite for taking up any drainage measures. By virtue of providing synoptic view of a fairly large
area in the narrow and discrete bands of the electro-magnetic (EM) spectrum at a regular interval, the
spaceborne multispectral data hold very good promise for deriving information on drainage congested
area in a timely and cost-effective manner. However in most of the studies carried out so far, it is
waterlogging resulting from surface ponding, or the presence of thin film of water on the surface or
wetness of the surface layer having characteristic spectral response in the optical region of the spectrum
which could be detected and mapped using multispectral measurement made in the reflective (visible and
near infrared) protion of the electromagnetic spectrum. However this region of EM radiation has certain
limitations for identification of water logged areas due to rising groundwater table, in such areas, the
radiation temperature measurements made by passive microware sensors, thermal scanners and the
backscattered energy measured by ground penetrating radar operating in the range of 10MHz to 500MHz
have shown encouraging result. In addition, the hyperspectral remote sensing too holds good promise for
detecting water logging. However the diagnostic absorption bands for uncombined water occur at 1400,
1900 and 2850 nm. The soils with the strongest water absorption features occur where the water table is
closer to the ground (with in 30cm) .

The Remotely sensed data can assist in identifying location of drainage channels by dark tones.
The lines of buried field channels could also be detected as a result of wetter soil conditions along these
subsurface channels. Microwave data at wavelength in excess of 20cm has some ability to integrate
subsurface moisture. Periodic monitoring of the efficacy of drainage channels constructed by various
departments could also be made using remote sensing technique and providing information on crop
performance before & after drains construction.

Remote Sensing & GIS could be utilised for following database creation for preparation of drainage plan.

Topography :

A topographic map on a scale of 1:50,000 showing contour lines of the land surface is an indispensable
tool. The map should also show town, villages, roads railways, rivers & stream, natural drainage, Canals
and spot height. Such a map could be prepared in GIS environment using field data, SOI topographical
maps, shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) or any other freely available elevation data. Digital
Elevation Model (DEM) created in GIS environment could give lot of valuable information for drainage
alignment.

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Landuse & Cropping pattern :

The present landuse map could be prepared based on satellite data, such map will not only be useful for
estimation of excess water but also for proposing alternate possible landuses after the implementation of
drainage plan. Landuse map should show the Cropland and cropping pattern, Forest, Waste Land &
Water bodies etc. The proposed landuse will largely determine the type and degree of drainage required.
The type of crop to be grown will depend upon the soil suitability and is an important factor in designing
the drainage system and thus the cost of the drainage work.

Soil & Land forms :

A soil map based on systematic soil survey in conjunction with satellite remote sensing survey will
provide plenty of data to plan drainage works. A classification of soil according to standard taxonomy
may provide almost all information. The depth of soil observation is generally limited to 1.5m, However,
in case of subsurface drainage problem some data on soil stratification and the hydraulic conductivity of
the shallow substratum (1.5 to 5.0m) will also be required. Although, from crops point of view conditions
of upper root zone (0.0 to 0.3m), its water holding capacity, erodability and infiltration rate and factors of
lower root zone (0.3 to 1.2m) viz; effective soil depth, subsurface drainage particularly the presence of
layers that would limit water percolation and water holding capacity are to be studied. Remote Sensing
survey are found to be very useful in reconnaissance level mapping of salt affected and sodic soils. The
landform mapping would indicate the location of paleo channels & buried channels.

Water logging & Flooding :

Areas suffering from flooding or water logging must be investigated for their locaiton and extent. In flat
land in alluvial region of Uttar Pradesh, the excess water on surface may be due to inadequate carrying
capacity of natural drainage, obstruction in drainage, local depression, poor topsoil conditions (low
infiltration rate), low storage capacity of subsoil (dense layers close to the soil surface or shallow water
table), seepage from canal, construction activity (Road, Railway line etc.) or to the absence of an outlet.

Remote Sensing satellite imagery could be of great use for delineation of flooded area in
August/September and for mapping of water logged areas in pre-monsoon (April/May) & post-monsoon
season (October/November) in order to know location & extent of drainage congestion.

Geological Setting :

Remote Sensing data could provide information on geological setting which in turn may indicate sub-
surface lithology of the area.

For preparation of drainage plan, in addition to above remotely sensed data, the following
database is to be collected through conventional methods & field survey and to be converted in GIS
compatible format.
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Climate & Hydrology :

An assessment of the magnitude of the land drainage problem requires information on rainfall Intensity.
Data on 24 hour rainfal is to be examined and return period of high intensity rainfall is to be determined.

A balance of water available for the proposed crops should be prepared. This would require data on
potential evapotranspiration and monthly rainfall.

An understanding of the hydrological regime of the particular river plain of project area gives a good
insight into the natural processes taking place viz; precipitation, evaporation, runoff (& soil moisture),
erosion, siltation and flooding etc.

Water table & groundwater quality :

Water table data of the area of concern is of utmost importance to decide whether subsurface drainage is
required. GIS is an effective tool to generate contour lines of water table and ground water quality maps.

The above mentioned data need to be integrated with each other to identify drainage problem
area, type of drainage system to be adopted (surface or subsurface) and preparing a tentative layout of the
main drains. This is followed by feasibility study to demonstrate that proposed plan is technically and
environmentally sound and economically workable and then the final design of drainage plan is to be
prepared.

4.0 Uttar Pradesh Scenario.

In Uttar Pradesh the problem of drainage congestion, water-logging and flooding is a serious issue. The
surface & subsurface water logging has been estimated by various agencies utilising different
methodology and different norms. Hence, there is a large variation in the estimates as evident from some
of the estimates given in table-1.

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 Table-1 Extent of Water logged Areas in U.P. according to various Studies.

S.No. Year Agency/Source Methodology Classes Extent (Lakh ha)

1. 1972 Irrigation Commission - - 81

2. 1984-85 National Commission on Agriculture - - 81

3. 1984-85 Ministry of Agriculture - - 198

4. 1991 Raghuwanshi et. al. - - 7.09

3.03 (Sharda Sahayak Command)

2.11 (Gandak Command)

1.95 (Ramganga Command)

5. 1991-92 R.S.A.C-U.P. IRS-1A Satellite data (1:250,000 scale) Surface Water Logged 0.59 (Pre-Monsoon)
interpretation for wetland delineation (Natural & Man made

0.70 (Post-Monsoon)

6. 2000 N.R.S.A. Landast Water logged/Marshy land 4.98

TM/IRS-LISSII/III data interpretation
for wasteland maps (1:50,000 scale)
preparation.

7. 2003 N.R.S.A. IRS-1C/1D data interpretation Water logged/Marshy land 0.88(Permanent)

0.96 (Seasonal)

8. 2004-05 RRSSC, Jodhpur IRS-1D LISS III data interpretation Water logged land 0.11(Permanent)

1.15 (Seasonal)

9. 1992 (May) Report of working sub group (1996) on Based on water table data of Ground Critical 47.03
Drainage for the formulation of Ninth Five Water Depth, U.P (0-3mbgl)
year plan of U.P.

Potential for Waterlogging

60.54
(3-5mbgl)

10. 2000 Waterlogging, land degradation and -Do- Water level <2mbgl. 32.77
(Post- Monsoon) Drainage in Agriculture-Concept paper
(July, 2007)

Water level
2-3mbgl
46.86

2000 -Do- -Do- Water level 2.75

(Pre- Monsoon <2mbgl

Water level
15.96
2-3 mbgl

2005 RRSSC, Jodhpur Based on water table data of CGWB. Most critical (<1mbgl) 0.29
( Nov' 2005-Post
Monsoon)

Critical
(2-3mbgl)
9.19

Non- critical

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 (>3mbgl) 183.59

11.

2006 -Do- -Do- Most Critical Nil

(May '2006-Premonsoon)
(<1mbgl)

Critical 0.06

(2-3mbgl)

Non critical 227.87

(>3mbgl)

12. Waterlogging, land degradation and Flooded & water stagnated Area - 7.49 (2000)
Drainage in Agriculture-Concept paper estimated by Board of Revenue
25.23 (1998)
(July, 2007)

– 72.50 (1979)

The impact of waterlogging in Uttar Pradesh is leading to an increase in soil sodicity, waste land,
groundwater pollution & water-borne diseases and a decrease in cropping intensity & crop yields.

The statistics for 82 major and medium commands of U.P. has also been estimated by RRSSC,
Jodhpur in addition to district wise waterlogged areas. The extent of district wise waterlogged area is
given in Table-2

Table-2 District-wise Statistics of Waterlogged Areas

in Th ha

Surface inundation

S.No. District District Area Total Waterlogged area

Seasonal Perennial

1 Agra 402.700 0.535 0.000 0.535

2 Aligarh 365.000 7.305 0.784 8.089

3 Allahabad 548.200 1.068 0.131 1.119

4 Ambedaker Nagar 235.000 0.461 0.099 0.560

5 Auraiya 201.500 2.106 0.094 2.200

6 Azamgarh 405.400 13.395 1.379 14.774

7 Badaun 516.800 0.404 0.072 0.746

8 Bagpat 132.100 0.202 0.000 0.020

9 Bahraich 442.000 0.135 0.024 0.158

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10 Ballia 298.100 0.073 0.002 0.075

11 Balrampur 334.900 0.178 0.000 0.178

12 Banda 446.000 0.003 0.001 0.004

13 Barabanki 440.200 0.903 0.234 1.137

14 Bareilly 412.000 0.122 0.000 0.122

15 Basti 268.800 0.396 0.079 0.475

16 Bijnor 456.100 1.398 0.091 1.480

17 Bulandshahr 435.200 1.402 0.112 1.514

18 Chandauli 254.100 0.461 0.053 0.514

19 Chitrakoot 316.400 0.000 0.000 0.000

20 Deoria 253.800 0.000 0.001 0.001

21 Etah 444.600 2.317 0.183 2.500

22 Etawah 231.100 2.006 0.016 2.022

23 Faizabad 234.100 0.166 0.036 0.202

24 Farrukhabad 218.100 3.554 0.386 3.940

25 Fathepur 415.200 2.781 0.053 2.834

26 Firozabad 236.100 3.727 0.041 3.768

27 Gautam Buddha Nagar 144.200 1.012 0.211 1.223

28 Ghazibad 114.800 1.495 0.246 1.921

29 Ghazipur 337.700 0.798 0.067 0.865

30 Gonda 400.300 0.114 0.058 0.172

31 Gorakhpur 332.100 2.135 0.008 2.143

32 Hamirpur 428.200 0.000 0.0000 0.000

33 Hardoi 598.600 0.324 0.242 0.566

34 Jalaun 456.500 0.377 0.000 0.377

35 Jaunpur 403.800 8.282 0.977 9.259

36 Jhansi 502.400 0.000 0.000 0.000

37 Jyotiba Phulenagar 224.900 0.000 0.000 0.000

38 Kannauj 209.300 0.630 0.133 0.763

39 Kanpur Dehat 302.100 0.173 0.000 0.173

40 Kanpur Nagar 315.500 0.166 0.000 0.167

41 Kaushambi 178.000 0.032 0.001 0.034

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42 Kushinagar 290.600 0.584 0.075 0.659

43 Lakhimpurkheri 768.000 1.921 0.597 2.518

44 Lalitpur 503.900 0.000 0.000 0.000

45 Lucknow 252.800 1.694 0.420 2.114

46 Mahamayanagar 184.000 0.386 0.000 0.386

47 Maharajganj 295.200 0.115 0.036 0.151

48 Mahoba 288.400 0.000 0.000 0.000

49 Mainpuri 276.000 14.380 0.076 14.456

50 Mathura 334.000 12.756 0.209 12.965

51 Maunathbhangan 171.300 1.111 0.000 1.111

52 Meerut 259.000 2.432 0.942 3.374

53 Mirzapur 452.100 0.005 0.001 0.006

54 Moradabad 371.800 0.064 0.034 0.098

55 Muzaffarnagar 400.800 1.015 1.419 2.435

56 Pilibhit 349.900 0.768 0.138 0.906

57 Pratapgarh 371.700 1.470 0.104 1.574

58 Rae Bareli 460.900 2.549 0.216 2.765

59 Rampur 236.700 0.209 0.045 0.254

60 Saharanpur 368.900 0.000 0.000 0.000

61 Sant kabir Nagar 164.600 0.161 0.069 0.230

62 Sant Ravidas Nagar 101.500 0.090 0.027 0.117

63 Shahjhanpur 457.500 2.601 0.211 2.812

64 Shrawasti 245.800 0.287 0.078 0.365

65 Siddharthnagar 289.500 2.167 0.037 2.204

66 Sitapur 574.300 2.751 0.190 2.941

67 Sonbhadra 678.800 0.000 0.000 0.000

68 Sultanpur 443.600 2.545 0.196 2.741

69 Unnao 455.800 2.681 0.135 2.816

70 Varanasi 153.500 0.202 0.044 0.246

Total 24092.800 115.386 11.295 126.681

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 The most affected waterlogged districts are shown in table-3.

Table-3 Most affected waterlogged districts, U.P.

Extent of Waterlogged Area

Waterlogged Waterlogged Waterlogged

Area >10 Th ha Area 5-10 Th ha Area 2-5 Th ha
Azamgarh Jaunpur Meerut, Etah, Etawh

Firozabad, Farrukhabad,
Mainpuri Aligarh
Auriaiya, Fatehpur,
Mathura
Lakhimpurkhiri, Sitapur,

Lucknow, Sultanpur,

Gorakhpur, Siddarthnagar,

Faizabad.

The data presented in table-2 & 3 could be utilised to prioritise the areas for drainage plan
preparation in context of surface drainage improvement. The Database given in Table-4 prioritises the
areas which are subsurface waterlogged.

Table-4 Zone wise subsurface water-logged areas

(groundwater level <3mbgl) in Nov'2000 based
on Groundwater Deptt. data.

Zones Percent

Eastern Plains 54.81

Central Plains 35.74

Western Plains 27.20

Total 39.60

Further maps of the surface and sub-surface waterlogged areas may be prepared based on satellite
data and groundwater level observations to show the problem drainage areas. Thereafter, drainage master
plan are to be made following the methodology as given below:

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 A. Thematic map preparation using remote sensing data, plotting of collateral data &
preparation of tentative action plan for drainage alignment :

1. Preparation of Base map showing road ,canal and transport network, settlement location,
administrative boundaries using Survey of India toposheets.

2. Preparation of map showing drainage congested areas / extent of water logging / flooding
using Post monsoon/Pre-monsoon satellite data.

3. Preparation of map showing springs, ponds, reservoir, and other surface water bodies using
Post monsoon /Pre-monsoon satellite data.

4. Preparation of map showing natural drainage and flooded areas using Pre- monsoon&
monsoon satellite data respectively.

5. Preparation of contour map and DEM using Survey of India toposheet / satellite data.

6. Generation of general geomorphological//lithological map based on existing maps/satellite

data.

7. Generation of general soil map (including salinity / alkalinity) based on existing maps/satellite
data.

8. Generation of general landuse map based on existing maps /satellite data.

9. Conversion of existing artificial drain map on appropriate scale (and collection of data on
depth and effectiveness of these drains)

10. Collection and plotting of data on precipitation, discharges etc. and estimation of excess w

11. Collection and plotting of data on groundwater level and fluctuations.

12. Integration of all above data and preparation of Drainage Action plan for alignment of drains.

13. Environmental and Socio-economic aspects consideration.

B. Finalisation of Drainage Plan after field survey and designing of surface drains to be
constructed, plan for vertical drainage/Bio-Drainage.

5.0 Conclusion :

The Remote Sensing data has been found to be of immense utility in identification of drainage congestion
areas, Waterlogged areas and flooded areas, hence more detailed and systematic studies are needed in
Uttar Pradesh employing remote sensing technique. Drainage Master Plan preparation needs a substantial
input from remote sensing data hence, it is imperative that such data is required to be generated after
prioritising the problem area.

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