River Damodar is called ‘Sorrow of Bengal’ because it ______.

Correct Answer: Option A. Gets flooded often causing havoc.

The River Damodar is called ‘Sorrow of Bengal’ because it gets flooded often causing havoc. The Damodar River’s torrential monsoon flows create floods across the plains of West Bengal. Thus, it causes loss of property, life, and fertile topsoil. Therefore, modern flood control measures like dams and embankments have been taken. These measures have been able to mitigate this threat. Nevertheless, the historical legacy of the river (creating floods in Bardhaman, Hooghly, Howrah, and Medinipur) is still alive in the memory of people. 

Reasons Why River Damodar is Called the Sorrow of Bengal

The River Damodar is called ‘Sorrow of Bengal’ because it gets flooded often, causing havoc. Let, understand why it causes floods, and it remains the sorrow of Bengal.

1. The River Damoder originates on the Chota Nagpur Plateau and is rain-fed. This river receives about 1,400 mm of rainfall between June and August. This sudden increase in water levels sweeps away bridges and d embankments before reaching the lower valley.
2. During 1770, 1855, 1873–74, and 1943, almost every town in Bardhaman was submerged under water due to these floods.
3. The plains of Bardhaman, Hooghly, Howrah, and Medinipur had to face these annual floods. Therefore, every monsoon lives were disrupted and crops were washed away. Thus, the river earned its nickname.

Also Read: Which of the Following is the Largest Delta in the World?

How Was the “Sorrow of Bengal” Tamed?

The good news is that the Sorrow of Begnal no longer spreads sorrows or floods. Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) constructed a network of dams in the area (948 and 1959). Some of the dams that were built include the Konar, Panchet, and Maithon. This transformed the river basin into a multipurpose river project. Therefore,

1. The dams helped in the regulation of the monsoon flows. It stores the excess water and releases it gradually to prevent flooding.
2. These reservoirs support irrigation across thousands of hectares of land. They also supply water to steel plants in Burnpur and Durgapur.

The River Damodar is called ‘Sorrow of Bengal’ because it gets flooded often, causing havoc. Measures have been taken to control the floods. Nevertheless, seasonal waterlogging and pollution from the mining industry still affect the common people. Therefore, we can say that the river is both destructive and nourishing..

Also Read: What is Kayal in Geography?

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