Research Projects

The increasing frequency and intensity of floods in the Brahmaputra Valley constitute a significant challenge, driven by the complex interaction among climatic variability, land use changes, and subsurface hydrological processes. Traditional flood assessments typically focus on surface hydrology, often overlooking the integrative role of the Critical Zone (CZ), the dynamic interface extending from the vegetation canopy to the bedrock, which governs water storage, energy exchange, and nutrient cycling. This research posits that the teleconnection between CZ dynamics and recurrent floods is a key yet underexplored factor influencing flood behavior in monsoon-dominated regions. The central hypothesis of this study is that changes in soil moisture regimes, vegetation structure, groundwater fluctuations, and land surface processes within the Critical Zone are closely linked to the frequency, spatial distribution, and severity of floods. Furthermore, teleconnections may modulate these relationships with large-scale climate systems such as ENSO (El Niño–Southern Oscillation) and IOD (Indian Ocean Dipole). To test this hypothesis, the project will use a multi-model assessment framework that integrates remote sensing analysis, field-based monitoring, and process-based hydrological simulations (including SWAT, RRI, and MODFLOW). Key experiments will involve (i) calibrating surface and groundwater models using both in-situ and satellite-derived datasets, (ii) conducting teleconnection analyses that link global climate indices with local hydrological responses, and (iii) utilizing machine learning to predict flood events based on coupled climate, soil, and vegetation drivers. The anticipated outcome is a comprehensive understanding of the vertical and lateral controls that govern flood generation and propagation. This will enhance fundamental knowledge in hydrology, Critical Zone science, and climate system interactions. From an application perspective, the study aims to contribute to the development of targeted flood mitigation strategies and decision-support tools, thereby promoting climate-resilient water management in one of India’s most vulnerable flood-prone regions.